Wednesday, January 30, 2019

100-year-old news highlights from The Evergreen Courant


What follows are 100-year-old news excerpts from the Jan. 29, 1919 edition of The Evergreen Courant newspaper in Conecuh County, Ala. 

Influenza at Orphanage: There are about 50 cases of flu at the Baptist orphanage. None of the children are seriously sick. They are having the best of attention and it is most sincerely hoped that it will run its course without any fatalities. The Home had been clear of flu until the children were exposed at the fire which destroyed the boys dormitory on Tuesday of last week.

The rains of the past week have made the roads impassable. The streams are also overflowing, and business is paralyzed.

Eugene Binion landed in Evergreen Friday night. He bears on him the mark of the cruel Hun. Eugene knows what it is to face the shock and shell of trench life, and he comes back to use loved and honored by all.

Austin Salter: Austin Salter, aged 68, died at his home in Old Evergreen early Sunday morning. He took the influenza and pneumonia developed. Deceased was born in the home in which he died, having spent his entire life in Evergreen. He was a man of noble qualities and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He never made any great pretensions, but he lived an innocent harmless life and to know him was to love him. The funeral services were conducted from the home Monday morning by Rev. D.W. Haskew and interment took place at the old family graveyard two miles north of town. The Courant expresses the deepest sympathy to the sorrowing ones.

Fred Wright returned from camp on Friday to spend a few days with home folks. Fred has gone through a complete change since entering training and now is a man among men.

Rev. J.D. Wright spent Friday with his pastor, then went to church Sunday to hear Dr. Branscome. He is ripe in years and great in spirit. His loyalty to his church is a rebuke to the indifferent men of our town.

Claiborne Deming has been serving in the People’s Bank since Arthur Cunningham, the cashier, has been confined to his bed with the flu.

J.D. Guice of Greenville was in attendance at the funeral of Austin Salter, who was an uncle of his. J.D. is just back from overseas and is a fine specimen of manhood.

Harry Dey has been spending the past week with his family at home. The flue is no respecter of persons, and will jump on even the best looking man in town.

The entire family of R.R. Long have been suffering with the flu for the past week. They had taken the serum and the flu did not go so hard with them.

BELLEVILLE: The girls here were going to give the play, “The Spinster’s Convention,” on last Thursday night, but on account of the flu, it was postponed until a later date.

Happy Home Coming of Castleberry Boy: There was great clapping of hands and rejoicing when Paul M. Page entered his father’s home about 11 o’clock Saturday night yelling “Hello, Mama.” Hon. Paul M. Page, one of Conecuh’s most popular young client students who has been in the Aero Squadron training camp at Vancouver, Wash., arrived in God’s country Saturday night with an honorable discharge. His manly principles prompted him about a year ago to volunteer his service for his country while not of age he awaited the call for overseas duty. Paul has many friends throughout the state and adjoining states, who are watching his upward climbing with great interest, being a boy of very highest moral standing and one of the most prominent families of the Sunny South. After a vacation, he will resume his law study. Paul has many funny facts to relate in humorous manner.

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