100-year-old news highlights from The Evergreen Courant

USS Cyclops (AC-4)

What follows are 100-year-old news excerpts from the Dec. 11, 1918 edition of The Evergreen Courant newspaper in Conecuh County, Ala.

Death of James A. Stallworth: James A. Stallworth, prominent citizen and member of the local bar, died at his home in this city on Friday afternoon. He suffered a stroke of paralysis on Wednesday evening and never rallied from the effects. Mr. Stallworth was a member of one of the most prominent families in South Alabama, being a son of the late Col. Nicholas and Mrs. Stallworth, the father being prominent in political affairs in this county for a long number of years. Mr. Stallworth was a graduate both in academic and law departments of the State University and had practiced his profession here for the past 25 years. In 1896, he was married to Miss Mattie Lee, a daughter of the late Dr. R.A. Lee. The funeral occurred on Saturday afternoon, conducted by Dr. J.G. Dickinson, assisted by Rev. D.W. Haskew.

Lt. Goodman Bethea Just Back From France: Lt. Goodman Bethea, recently returned from France, who has been spending a few days with home folks at Brooklyn, spent Friday in Evergreen. Lt. Bethea passed through some of the fiercest fighting on the western front, but came out with only a slight wound. He was in the terrible engagement through the Argonne forest, which began in September and continued through October, where the American forces suffered the greatest casualties. How any of them came out of it seems a miracle, he says.

Nick Frazier Passes Away: Nick Frazier died very suddenly and unexpectedly at his home near Shoemaker’s Mill on Thursday last. He is survived by his wife and several children.

Conecuh Casualties Reported: The following Conecuh boys overseas are reported in recent casualty lists: Archie D.M. McCrory, Repton, died of disease; Ben C. Landon, Evergreen, wounded severely; Burnett A. Millsap, Evergreen, wounded severely.

Rev. W.H. Venters of Uniontown spent a day with veterans here last week.

Navy Collier Cyclops Reported Found: The U.S. naval collier Cyclops, which mysteriously disappeared early last spring en route from South American to the United States, is said to have been found recently in the Kiel canal, where the vessel was taken by the Germans who are said to have captured here.

On board this vessel was a number of Alabama boys, among the number a son of a citizen of this county, P.S. McKinley of Owassa. The Cyclops was given up as lost by the navy department several months ago, it being believed that she was lost in a storm. If the story is true that the collier is in the hands of the Germans, her crew is very likely safe, and this will bring joy unspeakable to the fathers and mothers of the boys who had been believed lost. There will most likely be some official statement soon if the story is true.

I.F. Goodson received a telegram a few days ago announcing the safe arrival in New York of his son-in-law, Roy Hughston, from France, where he saw active service with American Expeditionary Forces. Mr. Hughston will join Mrs. Hughston at Decatur when he returns to Alabama, and they together will pay a visit to their parents.

A fresh outbreak of influenza in town caused the town council and health authorities to issue an order suspending schools and all public gatherings for an indefinite period or until the epidemic abates.