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

Clara Belle Davis Cook, aka, Mrs. W.E. Cook.

What follows are 100-year-old news excerpts from the Aug. 1, 1918 edition of The Wilcox Progressive Era newspaper in Camden, Ala.

First Wilcox Boy Killed In Action: The casualty list of Tuesday bore the name of John Watson of Pine Apple as having been killed in action on July 15. John was the son of Dr. and Mrs. B.W. Watson of Pine Apple. He enlisted in the early stages of the war and later was assigned to the Rainbow Division which in the recent fighting has covered itself with glory. His death marks the first sacrifice that Wilcox will be called on to bear in the great conflict. Though our hearts go out to the bereaved parents in their hour of sadness yet a thrill of pride permeates us as we see this splendid young man freely lay down his life that righteousness might live. Though he had been spared to live beyond the allotted span, yet in the few brief years he has lived he has given the full measure of devotion to his country. Though he sleep beneath the friendly sod of Lafayette soil, his memory will ever be enshrined in the hearts of Wilcox as the first to meet the rendezvous of death in the present conflict.

Mr. W.A. McDowell has three brothers in the army fighting the Huns. Can any candidate show a more patriotic spirit permeating the family? All three of these boys would vote for the amendment if at home.

Wilcox County High School – Session Begins Tuesday, Sept. 10 – Music, Art and Domestic Science Departments. Board reasonable. Claude Hardy, Principal.

Rev. J.M. Dannelly of Mobile is visiting relatives here.

Dr. E.L. McIntosh of Catherine was a Camden visitor Monday.

Mr. Abe Cook on Wednesday in Mobile sold the first bale of cotton from Wilcox this season. It sold for 45 cents per pound.

Mr. Frank Tait Jr., who is attached to the Naval Department of Portsmouth, Va., spent several days with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. F.S. Tait of Canton Bend.

Mrs. W.E. Cook and little daughter, Miss Gladys, have gone to Atlanta to purchase fall millinery. Before returning, they will visit Mrs. Cook’s mother near Atlanta.

THE WILCOX HOTEL – The Only Camden Brick Hotel – We will be pleased to have Commercial Travelers and County People stop with us. New beds and furniture and a FIRST-CLASS TABLE. Rates $2 per day, Single meal 50 cents – MRS. W.A. McCLEAN, Lessee, Camden, Ala.

Mrs. H.T. Strout left Monday to visit her daughters in Florala, Ala.

Mr. John Liddell is spending a few days with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.R. Liddell.

Mr. and Mrs. Carlisle Duke and Mrs. T.A. McLeod visited Montgomery this week.

The ladies of the Canton Ladies Aid Society, with their characteristic thoughtfulness, gave Rev. and Mrs. H.T. Strout a generous pounding last Thursday, which was enjoyed and appreciated by them.

NOTICE: A meeting of the Democratic Executive Committee for Wilcox County will be held in Camden at nine o’clock Thurs., Aug. 15, 1918, for the purpose of counting the vote of the primary election to be held Aug. 13, 1918. Every member is requested to attend. – S.D. Bloch, Chairman; Sam Lee Jones, Secretary.