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

Dr. John G. Woolley 

What follows are 100-year-old news excerpts from the Feb. 28, 1918 edition of The Wilcox Progressive Era newspaper in Camden, Ala.

Death of Mr. David McIntosh Sr. – Last Saturday night Mr. David McIntosh died at his Camden home, aged 93 years. At his death he was probably the oldest white man in our county. Mr. McIntosh was for many years a farmer in Mims beat, near where is now Neenah. In early life he was happily married to Miss Carrie McDowell, who died several years ago. Surviving him are Mrs. R.L. Rentz, Miss Minnie McIntosh and five sons and several grandsons. Mr. McIntosh was a true Southerner and early in the War Between the States enlisted in the Confederate service as a member of Co. D, Third Alabama Cavalry. Sometime after the war, Mr. McIntosh purchased the Jerry Fail residence in Camden and has continued to reside here, and until a few years since, to farm. He was a member of Dale Lodge No. 25, Free and Accepted Masons, and was buried in the Camden cemetery by his fraternity. In faith, he was a Presbyterian and the burial services were conducted by his pastor, Rev. H.W. Wallace. The pallbearers were his five sons, David McIntosh of Camden, Sam McIntosh and Judge John R. McIntosh of Louisiana, Dr. E.L. McIntosh of Catherine, Douglas McIntosh of Texas, and his son-in-law, Mr. R.L. Rentz of Camden. Many floral tributes attested the esteem in which he was held, and many friends regret his death and console the bereaved in their sorrow.

A splendid and well matched basketball game was played on the campus of the Wilcox County High School last Friday between teams of the Selma High School and the Wilcox County High School. The game was won by Selma by a score of two.

Mrs. W.W. McConnico: A message announcing the death of Mrs. W.W. McConnico, at midnight Tuesday at the family home near Snow Hill in Wilcox County, was received in Montgomery Wednesday. Mrs. McConnico was well known here, having often visited her son, Dr. F.H. McConnico, now lieutenant in the army medical corps.

Mrs. McConnico was 75 years of age. She had made her home in Wilcox County practically her entire life. Her husband died three weeks ago.

Mrs. McConnico is survived by two daughters, Miss Etta McConnico, Mrs. Kate Jones, and two sons, Stonewall McConnico and Lt. F.H. McConnico.

Funeral services were conducted Thursday from the residence.

Dr. John G. Woolley delivered on Tuesday night the finest address ever heard in Camden. A full house listened attentively to his unanswerable plea for the ratification of the national prohibition amendment and gave him enthusiastic applause. Dr. Woolley is a convincing speaker, and his address in Camden has stirred the enthusiasm of the supporters of the amendment and has given the opponents some food for thought.

Mr. Daniel G. Cook of Black’s was in Camden Friday. He has paid his town license as a practicing attorney at law, and, we are informed, expects to engage actively in the practice of law in Camden.

Mr. T.E. Tucker stopped over with parents Sunday at Catherine, on his return to Mobile School of Medicine. He had been to University of Alabama to attend Class day exercises and in the interest of the Medical College and fraternity.

Hon. Sol. D. Block, after several weeks stay in Mobile, has returned to Camden for a few days. His many friends are glad to note his good health.