Old newspaper excerpts from The Monroe Journal newspaper of Monroe County, Alabama

20 YEARS AGO

MAY 7, 1998

Hail strikes county again: Communities in Conecuh and Monroe counties received hail as thunderstorms passed through the area Sunday night.

According to reports, Excel, Frisco City, Repton and Uriah received small amounts of hail around 8 p.m.

Many residents said the hail looked like “melted ice cubes with jagged edges.”

Monroe Academy’s softball team battled its way through the losers’ bracket Thursday to win the Alabama Independent School Association 2A West Area 1 tournament at MA.

After suffering an 18-7 loss to second-seeded South Choctaw Academy Thursday morning, the top-seeded Lady Volunteers defeated Grove Hill 7-3 and stunned South Choctaw 14-2 and 10-3 to win the tournament.

Sophomore shortstop Jennifer Johnson was named the tournament’s most valuable player, and teammates Courtney Robertson, Amy Yelverton and Jamie Norris were named to the all-tournament team.

(Other top MA players in those games included Taryn Kilpatrick, Elizabeth Lane, Tabitha McKenzie, Krista Smith and Tiffany Stokes. Don Smith was MA’s head coach.)

The Monroeville Planning Commission paved the way for two new businesses expected to open in late summer or early fall.

The commission approved site plans for Village Pharmacy, to locate next to Village Plaza Shopping Center on Mayfield Street, and Pizza Express, which will be adjacent to the Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy in the old Bedsole building, at its regular meeting Monday night.

45 YEARS AGO

MAY 3, 1973

Hospital ok’s operation of ambulance: The Monroe County Hospital has agreed to take over operation of an ambulance service in the county as soon as a new ambulance can be purchased. Estimated time of delivery is about 90 days.

Members of the hospital board, meeting with the Monroe County Commission and representatives of the Monroe County Rescue Squad last Thursday at the courthouse, said they would assume the responsibility for operating the service provided a plan is devised to supplement the facility for any operating loss.

Tigers fall in playoffs with loss to Robertsdale: The Monroe County High School Tiger baseball team fell in the opening round of the state 3A playoffs held in Monroeville’s Babe Ruth Park Fri., April 27. They were knocked out of the playoffs by an overpowering Robertsdale nine that blasted them, 7-0.

Even though the Bears won by a 7-0 margin, they were only about to get four hits off MCHS pitcher, Mike Cobb.

(Other standout MCHS players in that game included Steve Coleman. Ronnie Dees was MCHS’s head coach.)

Police graduate: Sgt. William C. Dailey of the Monroeville police department graduated from the Southwest Alabama Law Enforcement Training Academy located at James H. Faulkner State Junior College in Bay Minette. At the academy, Dailey received intensive law enforcement training during the six-week course. He has returned to duty in Monroeville.

70 YEARS AGO

MAY 6, 1948

Frisco City Soldier Given Military Funeral: A military funeral for Pfc. Albert C. Sims, 28, serviceman killed in action in European Theater of Operations on June 10, 1944, was conducted from the First Baptist Church in Frisco City Saturday afternoon at four o’clock with the Rev. T.C. Paul officiating. Burial was in Union Cemetery at Frisco City.

Full military honors were bestowed by a firing squad of American Legion members.

A native of Frisco City, where he lived all his life until entering the Army in January 1941, Pfc. Sims was a member of the Baptist Church. Prior to his return to this country, he was buried at Blosville Cemetery, Carentan, France.

Local Golf Tourney Will Begin Today: Thirty-two golfers, paired in flights of eight, will tee off today (Thursday) in the first team-match tournament ever staged by the Monroeville Golf Club. Play will take place on the local course. Results of all matches will be posted at Williams Café.

(Golfers in the tourney included Lucian Jones, George Thomas Jones, Buster Stallworth, A.B. Blass, Frank Lathram, Reed Polk, M. Katz, Shall Dunning, A.B. Blass Jr., A.C. Lee, Joe Reddoch and others.)

Political Rally Held Friday At Beatrice: To help raise money for the Beatrice gymnasium fund, a political rally was held in the Beatrice High School auditorium last Friday night.

P.S. Jackson of Peterman introduced the speakers and explained the purpose of the rally.

(Speakers at the event included John Black, C.P. Burns, Ralph Cobb, R.H. “Ty” Cobb, John Coxwell, Laurence McPherson, Alfred Nettles and Francis Stallworth.)

95 YEARS AGO

MAY 3, 1923

Prof. and Mrs. Greer of Jones Mill were visitors to Monroeville Wednesday. Prof. Greer reported a very successful series of exercises marking the closing of his school. His many friends and the friends of the school are gratified to know that Prof. Greer will probably remain with the school during another term.

DR. W.H. HINES – Veterinary Surgeon – Officers his services to the citizens of Monroe County day or night. Office in old courthouse. Office phone 67, residence 50.

The Monroeville Transfer Co. has ordered two handsome passenger cars to put on their bus line between Monroeville and Atmore. The new cars will reach here in a few days.

Mr. J.T. Stacey was up from Jones Mill Wednesday.

Mr. Lockwood, the architect of Birmingham, was a business visitor to Monroeville Tuesday.

Mr. O.M. Crook was over from Burnt Corn Monday. Mr. Crook reports a fine stand of cotton on the 50 acres he is cultivating this season.

Mr. M.R. Sowell accompanied his sister, Mrs. D.A. Argo, as far as Montgomery on her return to Jasper last week. Mr. Sowell remained over in the capital city to enjoy the Galli-Curci recital.

The Monroe County Farm Bureau delivered the last of its fertilizer Wednesday. A car of soda to Mexia and a car of soda to Jones Mill made a total of 30 carloads.

148 YEARS AGO

MAY 7, 1870

HAIL STORM: A hail storm of considerable severity swept over this place on last Sunday afternoon. The leaves were beaten from the trees, and young vegetation generally fared badly. The hail was accompanied by rain and continued for half an hour.

THAT DIFFICULTY: The difficulty that occurred on the river road near Bell’s Landing, among the road hands, was wound up by the prompt arrest of a number of the participants, and the matter laid before the grand jury, then in session. It is not known what disposition the grand jury made of the affair; but, no doubt, they did their duty.

CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, SPRING TERM, 1870: This Court commenced the term on Monday, the 25^th ult., Hon. P.O. Harper, president, with the bar of the Circuit fully represented, when the following business was transacted:

The case of John Watts, charged with assault and battery, continued by defendant.

W.C. Gibson, assault with intent to murder, continued by the State.

Elias Walter, assault with intent to murder, found guilty of charge in the indictment and sentenced by the Court to two years hard labor for the State.

H.P. Smith, manslaughter in the first degree. This case was one of great interest. It commenced on Wednesday afternoon and consumed the balance of the week, resulting in a mistrial. The jury were kept together until after 12 o’clock on Saturday night, when they announced to the Court that they could not agree. They were then discharged by Judge Harper and the spring term, 1870, of the Circuit Court for Monroe County was adjourned sine die.