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

Mrs. R.J. Goode of Gastonburg, Ala.

What follows are 100-year-old news excerpts from the Nov. 21, 1918 edition of The Wilcox Progressive Era newspaper in Camden, Ala.

CAMDEN’S FIRST AIRSHIP: On Saturday afternoon an airship from Montgomery, Ala. flew over Camden for several minutes and alighted at the old Fair Ground. It was not on the program to stop here but descended for the purpose of securing gasoline. This is the first airship to pass over Camden and attracted considerable attention. There is no reason why Camden should not have a regular landing place and have the pleasure of frequent visits from them.

Miss Strudwich has sent to Washington to be placed on exhibition, products of the Camden Club girls of Wilcox. At this exhibition will be products of every section of the country. It is assured that Wilcox will have a creditable exhibit.

Hon. Morgan Richards, Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club of Selma, was in Camden on Saturday morning and addressed the businessmen of the town on the lines of organizing a Labor Board whose duty shall be to adjust the labor difficulties which will be abundant after the war. This board is under the auspices of the War Industries Bureau. Mr. Richards told of effective work this organization has done in Dallas and other counties and it was the unanimous opinion of all present that Wilcox should likewise organize. Mr. S.L. Jones Sr. was selected by the assembly to represent the employers. Mr. R.C. Jones was named as representative of employees, and Sheriff McDowell was chosen as the third member and President of the Board. These three men are qualified in every respect to handle any labor or other problems that may arise, as they have the undivided confidence and respect of everyone. A resolution was also passed by the assembly endorsing the organization of a Loyalty League of Wilcox.

Plans are already being made to bring our boys back as rapidly as conditions will permit. Some of the veterans will realize their cherished hope to eat Christmas dinner with the home folks.

Mr. J.L. Bonner of Rosebud has broken all records on potato raising. In harvesting his recent crop, he unearthed some monsters, weighing from six to 10 pounds, but these were common and are not the subject of this story. The champion potato of this crop tipped the scales at 15 and one-half pounds. An idea of the size of this potato may be impressed when we consider that 56 pounds make a bushel. In other words, three and one-half potatoes like this will make a bushel. Mr. Bonner did not give us this information, but it reached us through a reliable source and is stated that this fact can be attested to by many prominent men of that section, who personally saw this phenomena of nature.

Read the full-page Christmas suggestions on page six of this issue of The Progressive Era. Tepper’s enjoys the reputation of being a house of square-dealing and honest values. Many Wilcox County people are regular customers of Tepper’s, and the number is constantly growing, for Tepper lets you know through The Progressive Era that he wants your business.

Mr. and Mrs. R.J. Goode of Gastonburg, Ala. announce the engagement and approaching marriage of their daughter, Annie Grace, to Roy Marold, the wedding to take place Sun., Dec. 1, at 12 o’clock in the Presbyterian church. No invitations have been issued, and only a few friends and relatives are invited.