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

Alabama Gov. Thomas E. Kilby

What follows are 100-year-old news excerpts from the Aug. 15, 1918 edition of The Wilcox Progressive Era newspaper in Camden, Ala.

Kilby Wins for Governor; Legislature Pro-Amendment: On going to press, a telegram is received stating Kilby has carried 50 counties; Brandon 10 and seven undecided. Amendists have won a large majority in both houses of the legislature.

IT IS VICTORY: The returns received assure the nomination of John Miller for the senate and W.A. McDowell and E.F. Oakley for representatives.

The whiskey question is therefore settled and settled right so far as Wilcox County is concerned. Incomplete returns throughout the State indicate that it is settled as well in the State of Alabama.

Let us now get together on necessary legislation for good roads, the livestock industry, finances and taxation.

Mr. and Mrs. W.P. Burford have returned from a visit to their son, Lt. Peyton Burford, at Camp Gordon.

Col. John S. Hunter and wife of Montgomery are visiting Mr. and Mrs. H.H. Matthews.

Mrs. W.C. Duke has returned home from an extended visit to her father at Eufaula, Ala., bringing her sisters, Miss Blanch Williams of Eufaula and Mrs. W.F. Clemmons of Hartford, Ala. with her to spend a couple of weeks. Miss Malvenia Capell and Dr. Duke made the trip with them through the country in their car.

DEATH OF LIEUT. YOUNG, CAMDEN, ALA. – Route 1, Box 86 - Editor, Progressive Era: I see from the Mobile Register in the casualty list of the Marne-Aisne front that another of our noble Alabama boys has been killed.

Lt. Frank Leslie Young of Florence, Ala., son of Mr. and Mrs. George Young of that city. Mrs. Young, mother of that noble man, was Miss Vermell Murphy, reared in Monroe and Wilcox counties. Lt. Young was well-educated, being a graduate of the Florence Normal, also of the University of Virginia. He was well-equipped for the duties of life, and no man could do more than offer himself on the altar of liberty. Leslie Young was a grand-nephew of Gov. John Murphy, fourth Governor of Alabama, and grandson of Neal Murphy, and has a host of relatives in Wilcox and Monroe counties. May God’s holy spirit be with our boys in that far away country is the humble prayer of your scribe. – Respectfully, Daniel Cook Sr.

Camden Grammar School – Mrs. J.S. Foster, Principal – Session Begins Tues., Sept. 3 – Incidental Fee for First Term, $2 – An especially strong course in Music is offered. – FACULTY: Mrs. J.S. Foster, Seventh Grade; Miss Lucile Proctor, Fifth and Sixth Grades; Miss May Belle Franklin, Third and Fourth; Miss Francis Perryman, First and Second; Miss Lucile Harmon, Music and General Assistant.

Mr. Hugh Ervin visited New Orleans this week.

Miss Elizabeth Baers of Selma is visiting Miss Louise Matthews.

Misses Louise Woods, Emily and Rose Waller of Selma and Lula Hixon of Monroeville spent the weekend with Miss Sarah Ervin.

Miss Annie May Robins of Catherine is visiting her aunt, Mrs. W.J. Bonner.