What follows are 100-year-old news excerpts from the Nov.
14, 1918 edition of The Wilcox Progressive Era newspaper in Camden, Ala.
When the citizenship of Camden arose on Monday morning they
were greeted with the glorious news that Germany had “surrendered
unconditionally” and the greatest war that have ever been was closed. Prayers
went up in thankfulness to the Almighty that right had triumphed and this world
would not be under the dominion of the warlords, but was safe for Democracy.
Mothers, who had sons whose bones rest on French soil, gave vent to their
feelings; and while their hearts were bursting with grief, their bosoms swelled
with pride that they had given their lives in so great a cause. At 3:30 there
was a spontaneous uprising of the citizens, who with the ringing of bells,
blowing of whistles and many other devices for making a noise gave vent to
their feelings. Patriotic speeches were made by Hons. E.W. Berry, J.M. Bonner,
Lee McMillan and Solicitor J.F. Thompson. It would be impossible to describe
the emotions of the crowd. Mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters shed tears of
joy that they would soon be rejoined by their loved ones who are at the front,
and the prayers of the entire crowd went up that such would be the case at an
early date. There are no more patriotic people on earth than those of Camden
and Wilcox County.
The name of Evans Autrey of Lamison is among those reported
Monday as severely wounded, and Leslie W. Autrey is reported slightly wounded.
Unless we are mistaken, this makes seven Wilcox heroes bearing the name of
Autrey who have been reported in the casualty list.
The Progressive Era columns are a little “skimpy” this week
on account of editors and typos being intoxicated with gladness distilled from
the war news.
There were 10,555 bales of cotton, counting round as half
bales, ginned in Wilcox County from the crop of 1918 prior to Oct. 18, 1918 as
compared with 5,334 bales ginned to Oct. 18, 1917. – C.S. Dale, Agent.
One of the most welcome sounds that break the monotony of
these still Sunday nights is the cry of “Mobile Register!” After an all-day
wait for news, more than one reader awaits the coming of the Neville boys, who
are always on the job, with grateful appreciation for their stickability. They
are doing their part to keep the public posted. Hats off to them.
Rev. A.P. Majors of Chestnut paid us a pleasant call Tuesday
and renewed his subscription to the Progressive Era.
The falling river on Monday made all crossings almost
impossible, and resulted in delaying a good many citizens who were on their way
to court here.
Mrs. Addie Belle Neville received a letter Tuesday night
from her husband, Thomas Fleetwood Neville, stating that he had been badly
wounded in battle on Sept. 30. He belongs to the 82nd Division which
has been in the thickest of the fighting. The letter stated that at first he
thought he would lose his leg but now had hopes of saving it.
Mr. Ken Partin brought some very fine specimens of sweet
potatoes to this office last week, of the Jersey Sweet variety. These potatoes
were so large it remains a mystery how he got them out of the ground, unless he
had a double patented stump puller.
Mr. Willie Hayes Sessions has been transferred from Camp
Oglethorpe, where he was stationed as guardsman, to an officers training camp
near Anniston. Willie is making good.
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