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

What follows are 100-year-old news excerpts from the Nov. 7, 1918 edition of The Wilcox Progressive Era newspaper in Camden, Ala.

The schools of Wilcox County were opened on Monday after a three weeks close, due to influenza. The epidemic has about spent itself in Wilcox.

Dr. Felix Jenkins, formerly of Camden, and now a member of the Medical Corps in France, is recovering from the effects of being gassed by the Huns. He is in a hospital in France.

A wedding of interest to Camden friends occurred some time ago when Miss Etta Mae Ray, formerly of this place but now of Tulsa, Okla., became the bride of Mr. Fred C. Lidle of Reynoldsville, Pa., Mr. Lidle now being a prominent businessman of Tulsa. They have been at home since September 1^st at 302 South Denver Ave., Tulsa, Oklahoma.

JUDGE ALSTON STRICKEN: Judge A.H. Alston of Clayton, Supernumerary Judge of Alabama, was stricken with paralysis at his home in Clayton one day last week and died Friday. He was missed from his home, after his failure to return at the usual time, and search was made for him. At four o’clock in the morning he was found unconscious in his garden, having lain out in the rain all night.

Judge Alston held court in Camden for Judge Miller some months ago, and made a favorable impression on our people, both as a judge and as a genial and likable man. Judge Alston was about 71 years old and a Confederate veteran. He had served as supernumerary judge since 1899, and had held court in practically every county in the state.

In his death, the state suffers the loss of one of its best citizens.

Circuit Court, which was postponed for two weeks, will convene on Mon., Nov. 11. All jurors and witnesses will appear as per their summons received some time ago.

Mr. S.D. Bloch was in Camden Tuesday, having come up from Mobile to vote. He reports that Mobile is prosperous and hustling, and that the influenza has been stamped out. Mr. Bloch returned to Mobile Wednesday.

Married, Nov. 5, 1918 at the residence of Mrs. Willie Albritton, Miss Mary Albritton and Lt. Lawrence McMurphy of Camp Beauregard, Louisiana. Our best wishes accompany these young people.

Pvt. M.B. Grier of the 107^th Ordinance Co., Camp Gordon, was home for a short furlough on the Sabbath. He expects soon to be moved to Camp Taylor.

Commissioners court was in session Monday with all members present except Mr. J.M. McLeod. Regular routine business was transacted.

Mr. Wallace, representing the Newport Rosin & Turpentine Co. of Pensacola, is in Camden looking after the interest of his company. Mr. Wallace is anxious to establish an auxiliary plant in Camden if material sufficient in the form of fat pine stumps can be found. If you have a field needing to be cleared, it will pay you to investigate his proposition.

Some people seem to think the cemetery is a public cow pasture.

Mr. J.M. McLeod of Coy was in Camden Tuesday. He has just recovered from an attack of influenza.