Today in History for Jan. 31, 2019

Jan. 31, 1902 - Tallulah Bankhead, star of stage, screen, and radio in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s, was born in Huntsville, Ala. The daughter of U.S. Congressman William B. Bankhead, Tallulah was most famous for her flamboyant lifestyle, throaty voice, and stage role in “The Little Foxes” (1939) and her part in the film “Lifeboat” (1943). (There is some question of the exact birthdate; this is the most generally accepted.)

Jan. 31, 1910 - J.E. Miller of Herbert on this Monday presented the editor of The Evergreen Courant with two of the largest turnips he had ever seen. The weight of the two was about 14 pounds.

Jan. 31, 1910 – According to The Monroe Journal, an attempt was made to burglarize the store of Roberson & Knight at Repton on this Monday night. A son of Mr. Roberson, who was sleeping in the store, was awakened by a suspicious noise at the front door. Locating as best he could the would-be burglar, he fired through the door, whereupon the burglars retreated. On examination, it was found that an attempt had been made to cut out the fastening with a brace and bit, and blood stains on the sidewalk indicated that the shot had been well directed, but no further clue could be found. On Wed., Feb. 2, however, a young white man severely wounded in the ankle and giving his name as Cammack made his appearance at the place of Mr. J.W. Brown at Conoly and surrendered himself to Mr. Brown who brought him to Monroeville for medical attention. After Dr. Coxwell dressed the wound the man was turned over to the sheriff and was in custody as of Feb. 3, 1910.

Jan. 31, 1912 – The home of J.S. Daw near Hampden Ridge, Ala. was destroyed by fire.

Jan. 31, 1913 – Pro Football Hall of Fame split end, safety and kicker Don Hutson was born in Pine Bluff, Ark. Hutson was an All-American at Alabama and played his entire pro career for the Green Bay Packers.

Jan. 31, 1914 – This day, a Saturday, was the deadline to pay poll taxes in Conecuh County, Ala. because Feb. 1 fell on a Sunday.

Jan. 31, 1914 - Alabama author and illustrator Dorothy Warren Fox was born in Birmingham, Ala.

Jan. 31, 1916 – According to The Conecuh Record, “Chief Jones created a ripple of excitement” in Evergreen, Ala. on this Monday “by shooting a dog on the streets.”

Jan. 31, 1917 - Dr. D.R. Nettles of Peterman visited Monroeville on this day.

Jan. 31, 1918 – The Wilcox Progressive Era reported that Lt. Emmet Kilpatrick of Oglethorpe, Ga. and Mr. Rufus Hall Kilpatrick of Mt. Olivet, Miss. were called to Camden during the previous week on account of the death of their sister, Miss Ella Mae.

Jan. 31, 1918 – The Wilcox Progressive Era reported that Sheriff McDowell had received a cablegram from his brother, Lt. Sam McDowell, briefly stating his safe arrival “over there.”

Jan. 31, 1918 – The Wilcox Progressive Era reported that Mr. C.B. Bryant of Canton Bend had been appointed member of the Equalization Board by Gov. Henderson to succeed Mr. W.T. Alford, who resigned. Bryant was a substantial planter in Wilcox County and was “in every way qualified to serve in this important position,” the newspaper said.

Jan. 31, 1938 - Alabama author Faye Gibbons was born in Carter's Quarter, Ga.

Jan. 31, 1939 – The GA-ANA Theatre was first opened in Georgiana, Ala. by Fred McClendon.

Jan. 31, 1957 - A.C. Lee and Miss Alice Lee visited on this Thursday afternoon in Pensacola, Fla. with Mr. Lee’s brother, H.A. Lee.

Jan. 31, 1960 - Coach Jack Akins’ J.U. Blacksher High School Bulldogs of Uriah added to their basketball trophy case on this Saturday night by emerging champions in the Pine Belt Conference tournament at Leroy High School in Leroy. Blacksher, recent winners of the Monroe County tournament championship, won the Pine Belt finals, 56-38, over a fellow Monroe foe, the Beatrice High School Eagles of Beatrice. All-tournament players from Monroe County included Jerry Thomas, Curtis Harris and Bill Solomon, all of Blacksher; Phil Brogden and Vance McCrory of Frisco City High School; Donald Brown of Beatrice; and Doug Stacey of Excel High School.

Jan. 31, 1963 – Lyeffion High School junior Peggy Tanner was crowned Miss Lyeffion 1963 during a program held on this Thursday night in the school auditorium. Nancy Ikner, an eighth-grader, was named Junior Miss Lyeffion.

Jan. 31, 1963 - Conecuh County businessman Frank Preston Sharpe was killed when his pickup crashed into a truck early on this Thursday night near Evergreen, Ala. Sharpe, 56, was killed instantly when the pickup he was driving crashed into a truck about 2.4 miles north of Evergreen on Highway 83 at 7:15 p.m. He was driving toward Evergreen after completing his day’s route selling fish. Sharpe was the owner of a seafood market in Evergreen and resided on a McKenzie Route. He was well and favorably known in the Evergreen area. Born on Dec. 4, 1906, he was buried in the Fairmount Cemetery in Red Level, Covington County, Ala.

Jan. 31, 1967 – The Conecuh County CowBelles and Cattlemen held their annual banquet meeting at the Evergreen High School lunch room. The following CowBelle officers were elected for 1967: Katie Sue Burt, President; Myrtle Robison, vice president; Louise Ptomey, treasurer; Marjorie Stacey, secretary.

Jan. 31, 1977 – Local weather reporter Earl Windham reported a low of 16 degrees in Evergreen, Ala.

Jan. 31, 1979 – The Butler Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church in Greenville was added to the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage.

Jan. 31, 1985 - The Monroe County Cattlemen’s Association held its annual banquet on this Thursday evening at the Monroeville Community House. Newly-elected officers were secretary William Carter of Monroeville, vice president Jimmy Dale Dawson of Excel and president Bill Harper of Monroeville. State director O’Neil Smith of Uriah also attended the banquet. County Extension agent Mike Gamble awarded a plaque for Cattleman of the Year to Randolph Raines of Pine Orchard.

Jan. 31, 1985 - Monroe County High School’s girls basketball team won the 5A Area 2 tournament by beating Escambia County High School, 61-36, on this Thursday. Top players on MCHS’s girls team that season included Rosa Ball, Becky Hairelson, Barbara Lane, Samantha Malone, Carla McKenzie, Alicia Morrissette, Carolyn Richardson, Patricia Richardson, Brenda Stallworth and Jennifer Stallworth. Diana Harris Lyons was MCHS’s girls coach.

Jan. 31, 1986 - The movie “Stripper,” screenplay by Alabama author Charles Gaines, was released.

Jan. 31, 1993 - Weather observer Harry Ellis recorded 6.14 inches of rain in Evergreen, Ala. during the month of January 1993.

Jan. 31, 1999 – Former Major League first baseman Norm Zauchin passed away in Birmingham, Ala. at the age of 69. He started his professional career in 1950 with the Double-A Birmingham Barons, where he set a Rickwood Field record with 35 home runs. He went on to play for the Boston Red Sox and the Washington Senators.

Jan. 31, 2000 – Weather reporter Harry Ellis reported a total of 4.42 inches of rain during the month of January 2000.

Jan. 31, 2005 – Hillcrest High School retired the basketball jersey of player Chris “C.J.” Riley, who died over the Christmas holidays.

Jan. 31, 2010 - Weather observer Harry Ellis reported a low of 28 degrees on this day in Evergreen. He also reported 10.49 inches of total rainfall for the month of January 2010.

Jan. 31, 2013 – Major League Baseball first baseman Fred Whitfield, a native of Vandiver, Ala., passed away at the age of 75 in Gadsden due to complications from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He played pro baseball from 1962 to 1970 for the St. Louis Cardinals, the Cleveland Indians, the Cincinnati Reds and the Montreal Expos.

Jan. 31, 2016 – A UFO was reportedly seen around 6:22 p.m. on this Sunday in Leeds, a suburb of Birmingham. The witness in this case was outside helping his son work on his truck when they looked up and saw a bright, slow-moving light coming from the southwest. The father ran inside for a pair of binoculars and through the binoculars he could see the light had a “fog-like hue” around it. They continued to watch as the object, which emitted no sound, made a 45-degree turn “really different than a normal aircraft.” They watched the object until it disappeared from view behind the tree line.

Daily Rainfall Observations from SW Alabama for Fri., Jan. 31, 2019

Rainfall (Past 24 Hours): 0.00 inches.

Week to Date Rainfall: 0.40 inches.

Month to Date Rainfall:  6.90 inches.

Winter to Date Rainfall: 10.50 inches.

Year to Date Rainfall: 6.90 inches.

Readings taken at 0700 hours Central Standard Time (1300 GMT) daily in Monroe County, Alabama, USA, in the vicinity of Lat 31.405783N Lon -87.479861W. CoCoRaHS Station No. AL-MN-6, Station Name: Frisco City 5.0 WSW.

100-year-old news highlights from The Monroe Journal newspaper

What follows are 100-year-old news excerpts from the Jan. 30, 1919 edition of The Monroe Journal newspaper in Monroe County, Ala.

Edgar Waren of Wainwright, who has been in the U.S. Navy for several months, is at home on a furlough.

Clinton Brantley has received his discharge from the army and is at home after an absence of several months.

Mr. Simmons Kearley, who has just returned from France, is serving as deputy sheriff. Mr. Kearley is a splendid young man and we are glad to have him among us.

Mr. Alonzo Lee died at his home at Burnt Corn on last Thursday of influenza. Mr. Lee was held in high esteem by all who knew him and leaves a host of friends to mourn his loss. Interment was made at Burnt Corn.

The name of Pvt. James T. King, a Monroe County boy whose home is at Peachtree, appears in the list of Alabama boys who have been decorated for extraordinary bravery in France. Pvt. King was in the 167^th (Fourth Alabama) Regiment, which has the distinction of having been on front line duty longer than any other regiment in the American Expeditionary Forces.

Mr. T.W. Russell assumed his duties as sheriff of Monroe County last week, succeeding Mr. L.M. Sawyer, who retires to private life. In defining his plans, Mr. Russell calls special attention to the Sunday laws, prohibition laws and gambling. In the discharge of his duties, he should have the cooperation of every citizen. He has secured the services of Mr. Simmons Kearly of Scotland as his deputy.

Woodmen of the World Officers Elected: The following is a list of officers elected to serve Franklin Camp No. 654, W.O.W., for year 1919.

Past Con. Com., D.D. McLaurin; Con. Com., J.M. Higdon; Ad. Lieut., T.H. Frye; Banker, J. McKinley; Clerk, J.H. McKinley; Escort, H. Norwood; Watchman, M.M. McLaurin; Sentry, J.T. Aplin; Managers, I.S. Hall, A.H. Hudson and J.R. Waren.

MASACHUSETTS VISITORS HAVE RETURNED HOME: William C. Adams, chairman of the Commissioners of Fisheries and Game of the State of Massachusetts, and Charles Gleason of Boston, have left for their homes after spending 10 days in Monroe County, shooting quail and wild turkey, in company with Judge M.M. Fountain and Dr. T.E. Dennis.

The Boston sportsmen during their visit to Monroe County were the recipients of every possible courtesy and hospitality. They pursued their quest of sport leisurely; they found an abundance of quail and wild turkey to afford them excellent shooting and the people of Monroe County practically en masse, importuned and insisted they return next fall for bear, deer, wild turkey and quail hunting.

Death of Rev. George Fontaine: Rev. George Fontaine died here (Grove Hill) Tuesday afternoon at the home of his daughter, Mrs. W.Q. Waite. Interment is to be made in the Grove Hill cemetery Thursday.

Mr. Fontaine was one of the oldest and best known Methodist preachers in the state. Brother Fontaine served the Monroeville circuit four years, 1888-1891, and had many friends here and over the county who will regret to learn of the death of this good man.

Will Blackwell, twice convicted of complicity in the murder of the aged Davis couple of Okaloosa County, Fla., died in his cell in the county jail at Pensacola last Friday of tuberculosis following a long illness. Up to the last he is said to have maintained his innocence. The body was shipped to Repton for burial. Will and Robt. Blackwell were awaiting the result of an appeal from their recent conviction, having been sentenced to death the second time.

Witness confirms that 39-point buck was killed in Wilcox County in 1972

Gene Tuney Mixon with 39-point buck in 1972,

The last living witness to the killing of a deer in 1972 with an “unbelievable 39-point rack” confirmed this week that the buck was killed in Wilcox County, and others said that this deer could be one of the largest ever killed in Alabama.

Last week in this space, I wrote about how 44-year-old Gene Tuney Mixon of Old Texas killed a monster 39-point buck on Jan. 11, 1972. This unusually large buck weighed 247 pounds and was described as a “hunter’s dream come true.”

Published reports at the time differed as to where the deer was killed. Some said it was killed in northern Monroe County while others said it was killed in Wilcox County. Unfortunately, Tuney Mixon passed away at the age of 77 in 2005 and was no longer around to settle the debate.

However, last Thursday I had the pleasure of speaking with Old Texas farmer Joel Mixon, who is the sole survivor of the hunting party that was with Tuney Mixon the day he killed the 39-point buck. Joel, who is known to many by his nickname “Preacher Man,” confirmed that the 39-point deer was killed in Wilcox County, just west of the Wilcox-Butler County line.

“I can take and put my hand on the spot where that deer was killed,” Joel said. “It was most definitely killed in Wilcox County.”

Joel, who was 19 years old at the time, said that he vividly recalls the hunt and noted that the late Leonard Reid of Pine Apple and the late Peter Snow of Old Texas were also there that day. Joel and Tuney were cousins and lived just a few miles apart at the time. Joel described the older Tuney as his “second daddy,” saying they both shared a deep love for hunting and the outdoors.

Jan. 11, 1972 fell on a Tuesday, and the four men decided to spend that morning dog hunting near the vast soybean fields planted near the Wilcox-Butler County line. Joel said it was on up in the morning when their dogs flushed the 39-point buck out in front of Tuney, who brought the deer down with a single blast from his Fox double-barreled 12-gauge shotgun. Joel said the deer was killed within shouting distance of the Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, which sits astride the Wilcox-Butler County line, west of the Monterey community. Joel said the deer was killed west of the church, placing it firmly within the confines of Wilcox County.

Tuney did have the trophy buck mounted and gave the mount to Reid, who kept it in his house for many years. Some time later, the house burned, but Joel said he’d heard talk that the mount had been moved to another residence before the fire. Joel said last Thursday that he was to trying to track down the whereabouts of the mount, but said it’s possible that it may have been destroyed in the house fire.

Hale Smith with Alabama Whitetail Records is one of many who would like to see the 39-point rack.

“We have over 2,000 deer in our records dating back to the 1950s but don't have this deer recorded,” Smith, an outdoors enthusiast in Marengo County, said. “I believe it could be one of the top scoring non-typical deer in Alabama potentially. We would love to have any information available to potentially score this deer and give it the recognition it deserves in the state records.”

In the end, I appreciate Joel Mixon taking the time to provide more details about Tuney Mixon’s monster buck and for his ongoing efforts to track down the deer mount. If he can find the mount and have it scored by the good folks at Alabama Whitetail Records, Wilcox County might just be able to lay claim to the title of largest buck ever killed in Alabama.

Today in History for Jan. 30, 2019

Dr. John Dan Hagood

Jan. 30, 1780 - Alabama's third governor, Israel Pickens, was born in North Carolina. The former U.S. Congressman moved to St. Stephens, in the Mississippi Territory, in the spring of 1817 to take a job as a register of the land office for Washington County. Wasting no time in establishing himself in his new home, Pickens purchased almost 3,500 acres in southwest Alabama in less than a year and became the first president of the Tombigbee Bank of St. Stephens. He served as Alabama's governor from 1821 to 1825.

Jan. 30, 1860 – Reuben F. Kolb of Kolb’s Battery married Callie Cargile (also referred to as Mary Caledonia Cargile), the daughter of Thomas and Louisa Ann Cargile also of Eufaula. The couple would have three children: Reuben F. Kolb Jr., William H. Kolb, and Emily F. Kolb.

Jan. 30, 1861 – During the Civil War, the Federal revenue schooner, Lewis Cass, was captured by Alabama State Troops in Mobile Bay, Ala.

Jan. 30, 1878 – The Pickens County Sheriff, discovering that citizens of the town were furious and wanted to lynch former slave Henry Wells for burning Carrollton’s courthouse in 1876, took Wells to the new Pickens County Courthouse and secured him in the garret room at the top of the building in an effort to protect him. In the midst of a thunderstorm on this night, Wells stood at the garret window, looking down at the mob that meant to kill him. Legend says that a flash of lightning etched Wells’ face onto the window pane.

Jan. 30, 1885 – W.B. Green Sr. died at Burnt Corn, Ala. at the age of 89. A veteran of the Seminole War of 1836, he moved to Monroe County in 1838.

Jan. 30, 1896 – The Monroe Journal reported that Willie Louiselle had returned to his home in Michigan after a visit with his son, the Hon. W.H. Louiselle of Manistee, Ala. “The old gentleman has fallen very much in love with south Alabama,” The Monroe Journal reported.

Jan. 30, 1896 – The Monroe Journal reported that A.E. Peterman, who for several years had been “the clever and accommodating” L&N Agent at Repton, Ala., had been transferred to Scranton, Miss., and was to be succeeded by W.S. Teas.

Jan. 30, 1896 – The Monroe Journal reported that Postmaster Ricou and his family were occupying the dwelling vacated by J.T. Salter.

Jan. 30, 1908 – The Conecuh Record reported that the Baptist Church of Evergreen, Ala. planned to hold opening services in its “new building.” Construction of the building began 2-1/2 years before this event and had just reached completion.

  

Jan. 30, 1915 – William H. Wright, 28, died of consumption on this Saturday night. His funeral was conducted the following afternoon and was conducted by the Rev. W.T. Ellisor. Wright was buried in the Evergreen, Ala. cemetery.

  

Jan. 30, 1917 - Mr. J.W. Lizenba, sometime a merchant at Roy, was in Monroeville on this Tuesday. Lizenba had recently sold his stock of goods to Mr. C.E. Eddins whose store had recently burned at Roy.

Jan. 30, 1917 - Prof. James A. York of Marion, the principal of the Perry County High School, visited Monroeville on this day. Prof. York was a brother-in-law of Prof. H.E. Jones and B.E. Jones, Esq., of Monroeville.

Jan. 30, 1918 – The Evergreen Courant published the following “Notice to Dog Owners” from Evergreen Town Clerk H.A. Shields – “Unless the town tax on dogs is paid by Feb. 15, 1918, the owners are liable to the penalties as provided. Tags may be secured at the Town Clerk’s office, the fee is $1.”

Jan. 30, 1928 - A movie version of Alabama author Octavus Roy Cohen's book, “Horns and Orange Blossoms,” was released.

Jan. 30, 1933 - Capt. Dave Lewis, Lt. Homer Kindig and Lt. Jessie Jackson attended a meeting of the officers of the National Guard in Montgomery, Ala. on this Saturday night, according to The Evergreen Courant.

  

Jan. 30, 1941 - Alabama author Gregory Benford was born in Mobile, Ala.

Jan. 30, 1942 - The P.N. Owen home, located one mile north of Frisco City, burned early on this Friday afternoon “with only a few of the household furnishings being saved.” The exact cause of the fire was unknown, but the fire started in the kitchen. Owen received a few severe and minor burns in an attempt to save a trunk.

Jan. 30, 1942 – Monroe County High School’s boys and girls basketball teams played J.U. Blacksher in Monroeville. MCHS’s boys beat Blacksher, 20-13, but Blacksher’s girls beat MCHS, 14-13.

Jan. 30, 1948 - Evergreen High School’s boys basketball team stopped a last quarter rally by J.U. Blacksher High School in Evergreen, Ala. on this Friday night to win, 44-40. Gulsby led Blacksher with 20 points. Benton Carpenter led Evergreen with 13 points, Mickey Logue scored nine, Gillis “Crip” Jones and Jack Cunningham had eight points.

Jan. 30, 1949 – Escaped Russian minister, the Rev. Robert Tarzier, Field Secretary of the Russian Bible Society in Washington, D.C. spoke at the Evergreen Baptist Church in Evergreen, Ala. “Tarzier escaped from the Soviet secret police a little over four years ago. At that time, he was pastor of one of the largest Baptist churches – the well known church in Riga, Latavia.”

Jan. 30, 1950 – Ollie Finklea retired at the age of 70 from his duties as Buena Vista, Alabama’s postmaster, a position he assumed after his father’s retirement on June 3, 1910.

Jan. 30, 1950 – Lola B. Harwell, a fifth and sixth-grade teacher at Georgiana (Ala.) Elementary School, died unexpectedly on this morning in her classroom, where she had just returned from a movie that was shown to her students. Harwell had been a teacher since September 1906 and had never once been absent or tardy since taking her first job at Ebeneza in Butler County. She also taught in Conecuh County and was principal at Avant in Butler County before going to Georgiana.

Jan. 30, 1950 – For the second straight year, the strawberry season in Castleberry, Ala. began several weeks ahead of schedule as several growers on this day brought in crates of strawberries. Lonnie Beasley of Hamden Ridge arrived in Castleberry with the first crate of the 1950 crop, and those berries were sold to local buyer, R.T. Holland. Normally, the strawberry season ran from March 15 to April 1.

Jan. 30, 1951 – Army Cpl. Oland H. Kirkland of Escambia County, Ala. was killed in action in Korea at the age of 25. According to the Korean War Veterans Honor Roll, Kirkland was a member of the 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. He was killed in action while fighting the enemy in South Korea. Kirkland was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Korean War Service Medal.

Jan. 30, 1956 - With the Montgomery Bus Boycott about to enter its third month, segregationists bombed the home of boycott spokesman Martin Luther King Jr. The home sustained moderate damage, but no one was injured. The young minister addressed the large crowd that gathered after the blast, declaring, "I want it to be known the length and breadth of this land that if I am stopped this movement will not stop."

Jan. 30, 1960 – Sharon Lynn Johnson was born to Bill and Phylis Cunningham Johnson at St. Margaret’s Hospital in Montgomery.

Jan. 30, 1965 – Isaiah Mims, 31, of Owassa was killed instantly when his car was hit by an L&N train on this afternoon at the main railroad crossing at Owassa, Ala. State Trooper Pitchford investigated the accident and said that Mims “evidently heard the train approaching too late to bring his 1957 Ford to a stop and skidded to rest on the tracks in the path of the oncoming train.”

Jan. 30, 1966 - Alabama experienced its coldest ever recorded temperature of -27° F at New Market in Madison County. The average low temperature during January for nearby Huntsville was around 29°.

Jan. 30, 1971 – A “Rattlesnake Rodeo,” sponsored by the Escambia-Conecuh Wildlife Association, was scheduled to get underway on this Saturday morning. There was to be a grand prize of $100 for the largest rattlesnake turned in during the rodeo which was scheduled to end on Feb. 6. Contestants were required to register in advance for a $1 fee at Flo Drilling & Pump Co. in Brewton, Ala. Area of the rodeo was limited to Escambia and Conecuh counties. Snakes had to be turned in by 3 p.m. on Feb. 6 at Flo Drilling & Pump Co.

Jan. 30, 1977 – Local weather reporter Earl Windham reported 1.01 inches of snow in Evergreen, Ala.

Jan. 30, 1978 - The defending state champion Wilcox Academy Wildcats had to go into overtime to defeat the Sparta Warriors, 47-40, in a game on this Monday night in Camden, Ala. Terry Peacock had 10 points; Gray Stevens, Steve Dubose and Tony Raines, eight each; John Hall, four; and Johnny Ralls, two. The loss dropped Sparta to 11-7 on the season, according to Sports Information Director Byron Warren Jr.

Jan. 30, 1978 - Dr. John Dan Hagood, 71, a native of Evergreen, Ala., died on this Monday in Santa Fe, Fla. Graveside services were to be held in Evergreen on Feb. 2 at 11 a.m. in Magnolia Cemetery with the Rev. Braxton McCurley officiating. Dr. Hagood was the son of the late Dr. and Mrs. J.W. Hagood of Evergreen and a member of a prominent, pioneer South Alabama family. He was one of Florida’s most eminent and respected surgeons and served with distinction in the U.S. Navy in World War II.

Jan. 30, 1986 - The Evergreen (Ala.) Chamber of Commerce was scheduled to hold its annual Promotion-Membership Banquet on this Thursday night at 7 p.m. at the Holiday Inn. Sheldon Morgan, well-known Mobile bank executive, was to be the guest speaker, according to President Willene Whatley. Whatley was to preside and report on 1985 activities and give the response and conclusion after the program. The invocation was to be brought by Dr. Lamar Jackson. The report of the Nominating Committee was to be given by Chairman Gerald Salter. Judge of Probate Frank T. Salter was to introduce the speaker, Sheldon Morgan, who was head of the marketing division of First Alabama Bank of Mobile.

Jan. 30, 1992 – Winton M. Blount III of Montgomery, Ala. was the keynote speaker at the Evergreen-Conecuh County Chamber of Commerce’s annual membership banquet at the Quality Inn in Evergreen, Ala.

Jan. 30-31, 1993 – Weather observer Harry Ellis reported lows of 29 degrees on both of these days in Evergreen, Ala.

Jan. 30, 1994 - Alabama author Lucile Vernon Stevens died in St. Petersburg, Fla.

  

Jan. 30, 2009 – Former Alabama governor Guy Hunt passed away from lung cancer at the age of 75 in Birmingham, Ala.

Jan. 30, 2010 - Evergreen’s Chris Hines started for the Alabama Crimson Tide men’s basketball team in a 58-57 loss to archrival Auburn on this Saturday at Beard-Eaves Memorial Stadium in Auburn. In the loss to Auburn, Hines played 23 minutes, scored two points and posted four rebounds, including two on defense and two on offense.

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.

Daily Rainfall Observations from SW Alabama for Wed., Jan. 30, 2019

Rainfall (Past 24 Hours): 0.40 inches.

Week to Date Rainfall: 0.40 inches.

Month to Date Rainfall:  6.90 inches.

Winter to Date Rainfall: 10.50 inches.

Year to Date Rainfall: 6.90 inches.

Readings taken at 0700 hours Central Standard Time (1300 GMT) daily in Monroe County, Alabama, USA, in the vicinity of Lat 31.405783N Lon -87.479861W. CoCoRaHS Station No. AL-MN-6, Station Name: Frisco City 5.0 WSW.

The Evergreen Courant's Sports Flashback for Jan. 29, 2019

Clarke County's Claudia Covee Allen

13 YEARS AGO

JAN. 26, 2006

Hillcrest’s varsity boys are just two games away from posting a perfect record in area play this season, after adding wins over Opp and Geneva to its record last week.

Four Jaguars scored in double figures (against Opp) with Cleveland Knight getting 15 points on five three-pointers to lead the crew.

(Other players on Hillcrest’s team that year included Chris Hines, Nick Lovelace, Justin Holder, P.K. Riley, Nick Ackron, Richard Johnson, Derrell Simpson, Blake Bryant and Robert Thomas.)

With a perfect 4-0 standing in the area race, all the (Sparta Academy) Warriors needed was one more victory to clinch the regular season championship.

That victory came in the form of a 68-46 blowout of the visiting (Jackson Academy) Eagles that was keyed by Eric Talbot’s 21-point performance.

(Other players on Sparta’s team that year included Tony Raines, Michael Campbell, Will Ivey, Chris Cinereski, J.R. Williams, Jacob Patillo, D.J. Buckhault and Chase Brown. Russ Brown was head coach.)

Ashton Garner led Sparta Academy’s girls in a 57-43 win over Clarke Prep in Evergreen.

(Other players on Sparta’s girls team that year included Erin Brock, Erica Palmer, Mallory Kendrick, Susan Ann Cook, Morgan Harden, Kara Layton, Deanna Covin and Camarena Godwin. Russ Brown was head coach.)

28 YEARS AGO

JAN. 24, 1991

Members of the Sparta Academy boys and girls basketball teams that were named to the Monroe Academy Christmas Tournament held Dec. 14th and 15th were Tim Salter, Kimberli Griffin and Mark Watts.

Mike Bledsoe’s Sparta Warriors ran their season record to 11-2 with a sound 78-32 defeat of Catherine Academy. Leading scorers were Wayne Cook with 18 points, Steven Gall with 16, Mark Watts with 15 and Tim Salter with 13 points. Others scoring included Scott Brown with five points; McPherson Cook, four points; Terry Conway, three points; Chip Gibson, two points; and Sandy Salo with two points. Team member Richard Weaver is sidelined presently because of injury.

Saturday night the Warriors, led by Tim Salter with 29 points and Mark Watts with 16 points, defeated Mobile Christian, 65-60.

Friday night Sparta defeated Jackson Academy, 88-66. Leading scorers were Tim Salter, 31 points; Wayne Cook, 18; Steven Gall, 17; Scott Brown, 12; and Mark Watts had 11 points.

The Hillcrest High School Jaguars basketball team will host Calhoun High School this Friday night. There will be three games played and the first game will start at 5 p.m.

On Monday, Hillcrest will host T.R. Miller and on Tuesday Monroe County High School will play at Hillcrest. All games will start at 5 p.m.

43 YEARS AGO

JAN. 22, 1976

Evergreen downed archrival Conecuh County High of Castleberry Friday night by the score of 78-54. Evergreen is riding an eight-game winning streak.

The Aggies leading scorer was Ronald Fantroy with 22 points. Leading the Aggies in rebounds was Edward Rankin with 12, playing in his best game of the season.

Sparta finished third in the Crenshaw Academy Tournament, losing to Morgan Academy, 75-64, on Friday night and downing Autauga, 76-53, in the consolation game Saturday night. Ronnie Pugh was named to the all-tournament team.

Against Morgan scoring was led by Pugh with 33 points, and Jerry Peacock and Bobby Johnson had 10 each; Walker Scott, six; and Joe Andrews, five. Johnson with 23 and Pugh with 20 led the win over Autauga, and Andrews had 12; Peacock and Scott, six each; Hugh Bradford, four; Woody Register, three; and Gray Stevens, two.

Conecuh County High School of Castleberry will host the Conecuh County Basketball Tournament on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of next week. Varsity and B teams will be participating.

Varsity action begins Thursday with Castleberry and Repton meeting at 6:30 and Evergreen and Lyeffion playing at 8:00.

73 YEARS AGO

JAN. 24, 1946

It Had To Happen In Clarke County: Clarke County, down in Southwest Alabama, is a county with plenty of deer and turkey – and lots of stories about them. Credit Sports Editor Buzz Walker of The Mobile Register with this one, which appeared in the form of a letter in his column from Mrs. Tommie Allen of Jackson.

“Thursday morning when I got up and looked out the door there was a big buck standing by our gate. He had come up with our cows.

“I turned and told my husband, and he got his gun and stood in the bedroom door, in his sleeping clothes and shot the deer.

“That was really something – and the last day of the season at that. The buck had only three points, but he was certainly a fine, fat buck and big, too.”

Daily Rainfall Observations from SW Alabama for Tues., Jan. 29, 2019

Rainfall (Past 24 Hours): Trace amount.

Week to Date Rainfall: Trace amount.

Month to Date Rainfall:  6.50 inches.

Winter to Date Rainfall: 10.10 inches.

Year to Date Rainfall: 6.50 inches.

Readings taken at 0700 hours Central Standard Time (1300 GMT) daily in Monroe County, Alabama, USA, in the vicinity of Lat 31.405783N Lon -87.479861W. CoCoRaHS Station No. AL-MN-6, Station Name: Frisco City 5.0 WSW.

Old newspaper excerpts from The Monroe Journal newspaper of Monroe County, Alabama

USS Constitution, aka, "Old Ironsides"

12 YEARS AGO

JAN. 25, 2007

VF Intimates to sell for $350M: It’s business as usual, Corky Fountain, vice president of manufacturing in Monroeville, said following the announcement that VF Corp. has agreed to sell its intimates division, which includes the Monroeville operation that employs about 950, to Fruit of the Loom, Inc. for $350 million.

“I’m very optimistic and very positive about the planned sale,” Fountain said. “I see a bright future. Vanity Fair is celebrating its 70^th year in Monroeville and I see many more years for us here.”

Shields sets new record for wins: J.F. Shields’ Lady Panthers set a new record for the most consecutive wins in a single season Tuesday night of last week in Beatrice when they defeated J.U. Blacksher, 46-22.

That win improved the Panthers to 16-0. Prior to this season, the Panthers’ longest single-season win streak stood at 15.

Tykia Robinson led a trio of Panthers who scored in double figures. Robinson scored 16 points, got four steals and grabbed four rebounds.

(Other top players for Shields that season included Shante Finklea, Mariah Jones, Latresha Lymon, Dahricia McIntosh, April Montgomery and Adriana Wright. Herbert Blackmon was Shields’ head girls coach.)

Book of Monroe County cemeteries is available: A five-year long project by an Eliska woman has come to fruition in the form of a new book cataloguing cemeteries in Monroe County.

Kathryn Weatherford recently finished the book “Burial Grounds of Monroe County,” which covers 63 cemeteries north of U.S. Highway 84. The book is dedicated to Alene Brooks and Dorothy Parker, who Weatherford said came up with the idea for the project and helped with the cataloging process.

37 YEARS AGO

JAN. 28, 1982

Junior Miss tour: Monroe County Junior Miss Marsha King, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Carl King of Frisco City, gets a pilot’s view of an Alabama Air National Guard RF-4C Phantom jet during a tour Friday of the Alabama Army and Air National Guard facilities. She and 47 other Junior Miss contestants made the tour while in Montgomery for the state pageant. The tour was conducted by Alabama Guard members at the Army Aviation support facility and the Dannelly Air National Guard Base in Montgomery.

13-point buck: Larry Montgomery of Beatrice shot this 13-point buck near his Uncle Booker Wesley’s house in Beatrice Dec. 2. The 203-pound deer was the first for Montgomery this season. He plans to have the head mounted.

All-state band members: Allison Wright, who plays the bassoon, Al Brewton, trumpet, and Debbie Johnson, flute, are Monroe County High School band students selected Saturday in Mobile for the all-state band clinic and concert which will be March 4-6 in Tuscaloosa. Miss Wright, a band member for six years, was chosen as an alternate, and Brewton and Miss Johnson have been band members for five years. John Bradley is the MCHS band director.

Frisco City Chamber of Commerce’s annual banquet is scheduled for Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. in the Frisco City High School cafeteria. Speaker of the House Joe McCorquodale of Jackson will speak and Frisco City’s annual Citizen of the Year award will be presented.

62 YEARS AGO

JAN. 24, 1957

John Shannon was named president of the Monroe County Cattlemen’s Association at a recent meeting here.

He replaces P.J. Norris of Eliska in the position.

Vice-presidents named were Gene Garrett of Uriah and Edward Broughton of Perdue Hill. Jeff Martin of Monroeville was elected secretary-treasurer.

The J.U. Blacksher High School Bulldog cage quintet marched through the annual Monroe County basketball tournament to capture both “A” and “B” team championships as hosts to the meet in Uriah Friday and Saturday.

In the “A” team finals Saturday night, the Uriah cagers, under the piloting of Coach James Allen, edged the Frisco City High School Whippets, 43-40.

In the “B” team final game, which preceded the “A” squad match, the Bulldogs emerged champions by again stopping the Frisco City team, 40-33, in a tilt which went into overtime.

HAVE SON: Mr. and Mrs. Bill Stewart announce the birth of a son, David Anthony, Jan. 21, in the Monroeville Hospital.

Miss Delores Jay of Uriah, Monroe County’s 1956 “Good Citizenship Girl,” shown above in the March of Dimes parade, will represent the county in Montgomery when the state “Good Citizenship Girl” is chosen by lot Feb. 9. Pictured above with Miss Jay is Miss Gaylyn Lambert, “Good Citizenship Girl” for the Excel School. The annual selection of high school senior girls for the title from all school systems in the state is sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution.

87 YEARS AGO

JAN. 28, 1932

OBITUARY, W.G. ANDRESS: William George Andress, son of Capt. Reddin Andress who died in the Civil War, and Mrs. Elizabeth Riley Andress, sister of the late Dr. B.F. Riley and his host of splendid brothers, was born July 27, 1859 and died Dec. 23, 1931.

While he was yet a young man, he was elected deacon of the old Pineville Baptist church. He remained a deacon at that church until it was absorbed by the Beatrice church, and was then a deacon of Beatrice Church till deafness caused him to resign.

Messrs. Howard Hunt and Jack Dees have opened a barber shop on the south side of the square and bid for a share of the public patronage.

The Monroe County High School band has received notice that they will be invited to come to Mobile Mardi Gras if sufficient funds can be raised. If the band goes this year, it will be their second trip to Mardi Gras. This shows the high standing held by our band in the state. The band from Auburn is the only invited this year so far.

SEVEN SCOUTS VISIT “OLD IRONSIDES” – Mr. W.M. Lindsay chaperoned seven boys to Mobile to see “Old Ironsides,” namely Armistead Harper, John Barnett, Walter and Clifton Lindsay and three Scouts from the Uriah troop.

The boys experienced quite a thrill in seeing a battleship which had been through 84 years actual service, 42 battles, and had never known defeat. In fact, she had more life and action than any battleship ever put out by any country.

112 YEARS AGO

JAN. 24, 1907

Mr. G.L. Witherington, a prosperous merchant-farmer of Mt. Pleasant, was in to see us Monday.

Mrs. S. Faulk and Miss Callie Faulk are visiting relatives at Laurel and Meridian, Miss.

Mr. J.L. Bowden, president of the Moore-Bowden Mercantile Co., Jones Mill, was at the county capital the first of the week.

Rev. J.W. Killough, pastor of the Bell’s Landing circuit, visited his daughter, Mrs. J.S. Busey, the first of the week.

Rev. C.H. Motley will fill his regular appointment at the Methodist church next Sunday.

Senator O.O. Bayles returned to Montgomery Monday to resume his legislative duties after spending a few days with his family.

CHESTNUT: Miss Martha Sessions, who has been teaching school at Finklea, is at home for a while.

Miss Mary Beard, who is teaching at this place, visited home folks at Pineapple last Saturday and Sunday.

BUENA VISTA: Mr. O.B. Finklea and little son attended the Cotton Press Association in Birmingham – whilst visiting friends and looking after mill machinery.

Miss Edna Middleton is the happy recipient of some beautifully bound books for her new library – among them, the popular, “John Halifax, Gentleman,” “Miss Merlock, The Prince of the House of David,” and some works of Bulwer and Scott.

Today in History for Jan. 27, 2019

Chris Hines of Evergreen, Alabama.

Jan. 27, 1807 – Prominent Wilcox County physician John Daniel Caldwell was born in Sumterville, S.C. and he went on to graduate from the Medical College of South Carolina in Charleston in March 1830. He married Mary Anderson Bowen on June 5, 1833 and moved to Linden, Ala. in 1836. They moved to Barboursville in Wilcox County in 1838. When the county was incorporated in 1841, Caldwell, as intendent, suggested that they change Barboursville’s name to Camden in honor of his hometown of Camden, South Carolina. Caldwell died in Camden at the age of 71 on Sept. 21, 1878 and he is buried in the Camden Cemetery.

Jan. 27, 1814 – During the Creek War, Capt. Samuel “Sam” Butts, 39, was killed at the Battle of Calebee (Chalibbee) Creek in Macon County, Ala., 50 miles west of Fort Mitchell. Butts County, Georgia and Buttsville, Ala. (present day Greenville) was later named in his honor. Born in Nov. 24, 1774 in Southampton County, Va., he was taught for some time at a private school by the Rev. George Guerley, in Southampton County. He was a captain in John Floyd's militia army during the War of 1812, and was killed when the American camp was attacked before day by the Indians. Butts was shot while he was leading on his men. An officer who was wounded in that battle reported that Butts was “up rousing his men, and thus became a fair mark for the Indians.”

Jan. 27, 1840 - The Alabama legislature passed a joint resolution accepting the disputed boundary line with Georgia. In recognizing the line marked by a Georgia commission in 1826, the legislature stated that “a fixed and known line between this State and Georgia, is of far higher consequence to us, than the acquisition of an inconsiderable portion of territory.”

  

Jan. 27, 1886 - W.G. McCorvey brought to The Monroe Journal’s office on this Wednesday morning, a bullet taken from the center of the trunk of a hickory tree measuring five feet in diameter. “It had, doubtless, been there a hundred years or more, probably fired at a blood-thirsty Indian by some bold adventurer who had trespassed upon the hunting grounds of the Red Men of the Forest, who laid claim to this, then, wild and uninhabited region,” The Journal reported.

Jan. 27, 1905 – O.L. Peckham, a truck farmer who had moved to Evergreen, Ala. from Missouri, was found dead shortly after noon near where he was building a home in front of D.G. Rutland’s house in Evergreen. Rutland discovered Peckham’s body leaning against a tree and moved the body to his house. The ensuing investigation revealed that Peckham had apparently committed suicide by drinking carbolic acid, which he’d purchased from an Evergreen drug store on Jan. 21. Investigators found the empty bottle and a dipper by Peckham’s side. He was buried in the Evergreen Cemetery on Jan. 28 at 10 a.m.

Jan. 27, 1907 – The Rev. C.H. Motley was to fill his regular appointment at the Methodist church on this Sunday, according to The Monroe Journal.

Jan. 27, 1915 – The Evergreen Courant reported that Prof. C.C. Smith of Healing Springs had been elected superintendent of the Orphans Home in Evergreen, Ala., succeeding M.C. Reynolds, who had resigned to move to Birmingham. Smith was expected to reach Evergreen the following week with his family.

Jan. 27, 1915 – The Evergreen Courant reported that Charles Savage Jr. was “painfully injured several days ago by being caught in some part of the machinery at the oil mill.”

Jan. 27, 1916 – According to The Conecuh Record, a partial eclipse of the sun occurred on this Thursday at 9:30 a.m.

Jan. 27, 1916 – The Conecuh Record reported that the tax assessor’s books showed a “multiplicity of dogs” in Conecuh County, Ala.

Jan. 27, 1916 – The Conecuh Record reported that Emmitt Lee Stallworth, the son of Dr. Stallworth, had been chosen to represent the Evergreen Baptist Church at the Sunday School Convention in Selma, Ala. The Evergreen Methodist Church was to be represented at the convention by Bryan Northcutt, the son of W.B. Northcutt.

Jan. 27, 1916 – The Monroe Journal reported that Walter S. Harper, a “gifted member of the staff of” The Montgomery Advertiser, had spent several days in Monroe County, Ala. that week, “visiting various towns and communities in the collection of data for the adequate representation of Monroe County’s resources in the forthcoming ‘All-Alabama’ edition of The Advertiser.”

Jan. 27, 1916 – The Monroe Journal reported that railroad contractor J.T. McCarthy was in Monroeville, Ala. for a few days that week. McCarthy “will probably keep his construction outfit in the county until the work of putting the Deep Water road bed in apple pie shape for regular train service is completed.”

Jan. 27, 1920 – Rennie R. Elder, a well known resident of the Flat Rock, Ala. community, passed away in Conecuh County at the age of 24. Born on Aug. 27, 1895 at Old Town, he was buried in the Flat Rock Cemetery at Flat Rock in Conecuh County. (Some sources indicate that he died on June 21, 1920 while others say Jan. 21, 1920.)

Jan. 27, 1933 – Conecuh County High School’s boys basketball team won their second game of the season on this Friday night by beating Evergreen, 17-13. Archie Barfield led CCHS, and was followed by Gaston King. Coach Thomasson was CCHS’s head coach.

Jan. 27, 1944 – The Evergreen Courant reported that Staff Sgt. Meldon R. Holland, 26, of Castleberry, Ala. had been awarded the Purple Heart. Holland, a mechanic, was injured by shrapnel in the spring of 1943 during a Japanese bombing raid in New Guinea.

Jan. 27, 1949 – Evergreen, Ala. Postmaster Mary Cunningham announced that the Evergreen Post Office would be painted inside and out in the “very near future.” The Evergreen Post Office was one of the few in the state to be approved for this type of work.

Jan. 27, 1950 – Evergreen High School’s boys basketball beat Pleasant Home, 53-22. John Greel Ralls led Evergreen with 19 points.

Jan. 27, 1958 - Little Richard entered Oakwood College in Huntsville, Ala. This was after he announced that he was giving up Rock & Roll so he could serve God.

  

Jan. 27, 1964 – Evergreen High School’s varsity boys basketball team beat Frisco City, 63-62, at Memorial Gym in Evergreen, Ala. Sid Lambert led Evergreen with 18 points, and Joe Sasser scored 15.

Jan. 27, 1966 The Monroe Journal reported that Mrs. T.M. McMillan had resigned as the librarian at the Monroe County Library, it was announced by the Monroe County Library Board. McMillan’s resignation was to be effective March 15, 1966. Members of the library board also announced that Mrs. M.L. Bergman had been appointed librarian in McMillan’s place.

Jan. 27, 1978 – Weather observer Earl Windham reported a low of 20 degrees on this day in Evergreen, Ala.

Jan. 27, 1985 - Weather observer Earl Windham reported a low of 21 degrees on this day in Evergreen, Ala.

Jan. 27, 1990 – Roy Lee Moorer, 99, of Evergreen, Ala. passed away. He pitched for the University of Alabama in 1911-1912 and played professional baseball in Evansville and for the Birmingham Barons. He was buried at Magnolia Cemetery in Evergreen.

Jan. 27, 1994 – The Evergreen Courant reported that the Conecuh County (Ala.) Commission had approved the recommendation of the Conecuh County Emergency Medical Services, Inc., and had chosen City Ambulance, Inc. as the contract holder for Conecuh County.

Jan. 27-28, 1994 – Hillcrest High School hosted the annual Hillcrest Invitational Basketball Tournament in Evergreen, Ala. The tournament featured Hillcrest, Excel and T.R. Miller.

Jan. 27, 2010 - Evergreen’s Chris Hines started for the Alabama Crimson Tide men’s basketball team in a 57-38 win over LSU at Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa. In the win over LSU, Hines played 21 minutes, scored three points and grabbed four rebounds, including three boards on defense and one on offense. He also had an assist and two steals.

Jan. 27, 2015 – Around 6 p.m. in Birmingham in Jefferson County, Ala., a UFO witness was driving home from the grocery store when he saw an “object hovering in the distance, blinking and changing colors.” He pulled over and attempted to film the object without success. 

Daily Rainfall Observations from SW Alabama for Sun., Jan. 27, 2019

Rainfall (Past 24 Hours): 0.00 inches.

Week to Date Rainfall: 2.60 inches.

Month to Date Rainfall:  6.50 inches.

Winter to Date Rainfall: 10.10 inches.

Year to Date Rainfall: 6.50 inches.

Readings taken at 0700 hours Central Standard Time (1300 GMT) daily in Monroe County, Alabama, USA, in the vicinity of Lat 31.405783N Lon -87.479861W. CoCoRaHS Station No. AL-MN-6, Station Name: Frisco City 5.0 WSW.

Singleton painted grim picture of our future nearly 30 years ago

(For decades, local historian and paranormal investigator George “Buster” Singleton published a weekly newspaper column called “Somewhere in Time.” The column below, which was titled “Are we near the end of eternal circle?” was originally published in the Feb. 22, 1990 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

Man has come a long way in the many thousands of years that he has been on this planet. Whether you believe the theory of evolution or have faith in Creation, man has covered a great distance on this old planet we call earth.

But what is in store for our society of today? Will the world continue to grow more prosperous and will we continue on our upward trend or will we start our downward journey toward a world filled with pollution and death? I believe the time of decision is closer than we think.

As you read the newspapers and watch the world news on television, you hear more and more about the destruction of the ozone layers above us. We notice that if we continue in our present life patterns, we are doomed to suffer greatly from this form of atmospheric pollution.

Skin cancer widespread

We are told that within a few short years over 85 percent of the world population will suffer from some form of skin cancer. If you stop and give this some thought, you can see we are on the verge of total panic and confusion.

But our troubles do not stop there. Our drinking water is fast becoming almost too polluted to consume safely. We have laid back and lived the good life and used thousands of chemicals to assist us in our easy living. Now these same chemicals lie in our soil and oceans and wait like a giant rattlesnake coiled and ready to strike that final blow that will poison all mankind.

Giving nature the ability to balance itself was a great piece of work performed by our Creator. If man had not interfered and messed everything up in a grand fashion, we would still be sitting pretty. But we have not been able to let well enough alone. We have had to try and change the rules that our Creator set for us.

Such a pity that we have not seen the handwriting on the wall; our society could have had it all. We could have lived together on this planet in harmony and peace. We could have pushed war and destruction from us. We could have all that man could wish for; the Garden of Eden could have been at our fingertips. Our world could be filled with clean and fresh water, and all the clean and pure air that we could imagine would be only a breath away.

Rejected simple life

But we did not choose this beautiful and simple life. We chose the life of so call progress; we chose the life of complexity. We wanted the life of heartaches and destruction. We have followed the same ways of life as the early Romans did with feasting and entertainment on one side and death and starvation on the other. “Forget the welfare of your fellow man, let the good times roll.” “Let those less fortunate fall by the wayside, let the entertainment begin.” “Tomorrow will take care of itself, just you wait.”

But closer than we think, tomorrow awaits on the horizon. The winds of oblivion blow in the distance. We are fast approaching the point of no return. If we are not very careful, our planet as we know it will soon take its place in some distant galaxy, and perhaps some other being from another galaxy will gaze in awe at our icy and desolate planet and wonder if life had ever been present on such a forbidden and forgotten place.

The time is at hand and we must do an about face and start with everything that is available to turn around that which may have already gone too far. This we owe to our grandchildren and their children’s children. We must put aside our land of fantasy; we must prepare for that which awaits in the silence, in the dark hours before the dawn, on the edge of reality. The time draws nearer and nearer.

As we go from day to day, our world grows more and more polluted and dirty. Are we to stand idle and wait for the diseases and death that is surely to come? We must decide; the hour of decision is rapidly approaching.

We must work with all haste and begin the awesome task of cleaning up the mess that we have created through carelessness. We must put aside our demands for a fantasy world and once again face the situation that confronts us. And, for the sake of those yet unborn, we must defeat the silent killer, pollution of our planet.

We must return our world to its caretaker, Mother Nature. We have to begin to appreciate once again, the things of beauty that we have pushed aside so long until we forget to realize they exist anymore.

We have to once again realize that we are not the ones who will decide the future of this planet that we call earth. It is man who is most vulnerable and he will be the first to go. Strange, isn’t it, just when we were beginning to think that we are to be here for all time to come.

As for man, his days are as grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.

For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.

(Singleton, the author of the 1991 book “Of Foxfire and Phantom Soldiers,” passed away at the age of 79 on July 19, 2007. A longtime resident of Monroeville, he was born to Vincent William Singleton and Frances Cornelia Faile Singleton, during a late-night thunderstorm, on Dec. 14, 1927 in Marengo County, graduated from Sweet Water High School in 1946, served as a U.S. Marine paratrooper in the Korean War, worked as a riverboat deckhand, lived for a time among Apache Indians, moved to Monroe County on June 28, 1964 and served as the administrator of the Monroeville National Guard unit from June 28, 1964 to Dec. 14, 1987. He was promoted from the enlisted ranks to warrant officer in May 1972. For years, Singleton’s columns, titled “Monroe County history – Did you know?” and “Somewhere in Time” appeared in The Monroe Journal, and he wrote a lengthy series of articles about Monroe County that appeared in Alabama Life magazine. It’s believed that his first column appeared in the March 25, 1971 edition of The Monroe Journal. He is buried in Pineville Cemetery in Monroeville. The column above and all of Singleton’s other columns are available to the public through the microfilm records at the Monroe County Public Library in Monroeville. Singleton’s columns are presented here each week for research and scholarship purposes and as part of an effort to keep his work and memory alive.)

Today in History for Jan. 26, 2019

Jan. 26, 1699 - Four French ships captained by Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville appeared in Pensacola Bay. The Spanish governor refused to let the Frenchmen land, so the ships continued west along the coast. On Jan. 31, d'Iberville's ships anchored off Mobile Point, sounded the channel, and explored present-day Dauphin Island, naming it Île du Massacre (Massacre Island) for the 60 human skeletons they found there. The ships then sailed west and anchored in Mississippi Sound. While Iberville explored the Mississippi River, his men began construction of Fort Maurepas on Biloxi Bay.

Jan. 26, 1809 - Alabama author J. H. Ingraham was born in Portland, Maine.

Jan. 26, 1827 – Charles Lewis Scott was born in Richmond, Henrico County, Va. He went on to graduate from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Va. and became a lawyer before traveling to California during the Gold Rush of 1849. Scott served in the California State Assembly from 1854 to 1856 and represented California in Congress from 1857 to 1861. When the Civil War began, he resigned his seat in Congress and joined the Fourth Regiment, Alabama Volunteer Infantry, of the Confederate Army, serving as major. He never returned to California. In 1861 he suffered a serious leg wound at the First Battle of Bull Run and resigned his commission due to injury in 1862, after the Battle of Seven Pines. After the war, Scott farmed in Wilcox County, Alabama, then during 1869–1879 was a journalist. He was a delegate to every Democratic National Convention from the end of the Civil War to 1896. In 1885, he was appointed by President Cleveland as minister to Venezuela, serving until he resigned in 1889. He returned to the U.S. and farmed. Scott died on April 30, 1899 near Mount Pleasant and is buried at a private cemetery at Eliska.

Jan. 26, 1839 - Alabama's first state prison was established by legislative act. In 1842, at the Wetumpka State Penitentiary, the state's first inmate began serving time for harboring a runaway slave. The first female was incarcerated in 1850 for murder. Today, the Alabama Department of Corrections oversees a multi-facility state prison system.

Jan. 26, 1864 – During the Civil War, skirmishes were fought at Athens, Ala.; Caddo Gap, Ark.; with Indians in the San Andres Mountains, the New Mexico Territory; and at Flat Creek and Muddy Creek, in the vicinity of Dandridge, near Knoxville, and at Sevierville, Tenn.

Jan. 26, 1865 – During the Civil War, skirmishes were fought at Paint Rock, Ala. and in the vicinity of Pocotaligo, S.C. A six-day Federal reconnaissance also began from Pine Bluff toward Camden and Monticello, Ark. A 10-day Federal expedition began from Plaquemine to The Park, La. A 17-day Federal expedition began from Memphis, Tenn. into Southeastern Arkansas and Northwestern Louisiana.

  

Jan. 26, 1870 – County Court convened in Monroeville, Ala. with the Hon. J.W. Leslie presiding. Solicitor Duke represented the state.

Jan. 26, 1879 – Dr. William R. Strode, 48, died at Perdue Hill, Ala. and was buried at McConnico Cemetery. Born in Culpepper County, Va. on March 5, 1833, he graduated from the Medical College of Philadelphia in 1853. He served as a surgeon in the Confederate Army and married Mary Gorin of Monroe County in October 1870.

Jan. 26, 1879 – Noah Dallas Peacock (Lewis Lavon Peacock’s older brother) and daughter, Susan, joined the Mossy Grove Universalist Church at Ariton, Ala.

Jan. 26, 1905 – The Monroe Journal reported that the Monroeville Library would be ready to open its doors to the public in a few days. “Nice rooms have been neatly fitted up in the old court house and a choice collection of standard works covering a wide range of literature gathered for the entertainment and instruction of patrons.” Miss Mann was the librarian.

Jan. 26, 1915 – Liston A. Hixon passed away at his home in Monroeville, Ala. on this Tuesday night. A former farmer and merchant, he was about 63 years old. He was buried in Hamilton Hill Cemetery.

Jan. 26, 1916 - Alabama author Amelie Rives's play “The Fear Market” opened on Broadway.

Jan. 26, 1917 - The first match games of basketball of the season were played on the high school grounds on this Friday afternoon between the Monroeville and Brewton teams. The games were “swift and exciting and the visitors worsted in both,” according to The Monroe Journal. The score stood 27 to 5 and 20 to 4 respectively in favor of Monroeville.

Jan. 26, 1918 – During World War I, Army Pvt. Adrien (Adren) F. Hardy of Brewton, Ala. was killed in action while serving with the 42^nd Division, 167^th Infantry. Born in Baldwin County in July 1901, he is listed on the “Tablets of the Missing” at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in Picardie, France. (Some sources say he died on July 26, 1918.)

Jan. 26, 1919 – William E. Molett was born in Orrville, Ala. He would go on to graduate from Evergreen High School and then joined the military, became a master navigator, recorded 6,000 hours as an aircraft navigator, including 91 flights over the North Pole. He also taught polar aviation for three years and returned as a Lt. Col. in the Air Force. In 1996, he wrote a book called “Robert Peary and Matthew Henson at the North Pole.”

Jan. 26, 1919 - Dr. L.C. Branscome, editor of the Christian Advocate, was scheduled to preach at the Methodist church in Evergreen on this Sunday morning. Branscome had been editor of the Advocate for three years and had increased its circulation from 7,000 to 17,000 during that time. He was considered one of the best editors in the South, and also a preacher of “unusual ability.”

Jan. 26, 1918 - Spright Dowell, Alabama’s state superintendent of education, made a forceful address to the teachers of Conecuh County on this Saturday at their regular bi-monthly meeting held at the Conecuh County High School in Castleberry. Prof. Bennett, county superintendent, was also present.

Jan. 26, 1922 – The Rev. Eugene Clarke, the rector of St. James Episcopal Church at Perdue Hill, Ala., was scheduled to hold services in the Monroe County Courthouse at 7 p.m. on this Thursday.

Jan. 26, 1926 - Alabama author Elise Sanguinetti was born in Anniston, Ala.

Jan. 26, 1944 - Alabama author Angela Davis was born in Birmingham, Ala.

Jan. 26, 1956 – Evergreen High School’s varsity basketball team was scheduled to make its first official appearance in South Alabama Conference competition when they were to play Luverne at Elba, Ala. in the first game of the SAC Tournament at 6 p.m. The only other game on tap in the first round of play was Enterprise vs. Greenville, at 7:15 p.m. Georgiana and Florala, who drew first round byes, were to meet in the first game of the quarterfinals at about 8:30 p.m.

Jan. 26, 1956 – The Evergreen Courant reported that the U.S. Naval Air Station in Pensacola would soon begin using the Evergreen Airport, Middleton Field, for an auxiliary field in training students. Presumably, pilots and ground crews would be flown up each day, in an operation similar to that of Camp Rucker, when a large number of students and instructors flew to Evergreen for touch and go landings.

Jan. 26, 1956 – The Evergreen Courant reported that Peace Pilgrim, who had walked over 7,600 miles on her pilgrimage for peace, passed through Evergreen over the weekend on her way to Montgomery. Peace Pilgrim began her 100-mile walk in Alabama at Castleberry, walking into Evergreen after dark. She spent the night at the bus station, The Rebel, and began her long trek about 7 a.m. the next morning. On Sun., Jan. 22, about 3:30 p.m., she was seen a few miles above Georgiana, and several people reported having seen her Mon., Jan. 23, the last in the afternoon, about two miles above the junction of the Ft. Deposit road and the new highway, at Priester’s.

Jan. 26, 1960 – On this Tuesday evening, the Conecuh County Training School Eagles beat Camden Academy, 70-60. “The Eagles used a combination of shooting and rebounding by Marvin Jones and Douglas Evans and the playmaking of Eley Randerson and Martin were particularly effective with their passing and general ball handling skills. Marvin Jones gained the scoring honors with 22 points. Evans was second with 19 valuable points, but an even more important contribution of Evans and Jones was their rebounding on the offensive and defensive backboards.”

Jan. 26, 1966 - The Pine Belt Conference basketball tournament, hosted by the J.U. Blacksher High Bulldogs, got under way on this Wednesday night with three games being played at the coliseum in Monroeville, Ala. The tournament was to continue through that Saturday night when the championship game was to be played. Teams in the tourney included Blacksher, Chatom, Coffeeville, Excel, Frisco City, Grove Hill, Jackson, Leroy, Millry, Monroeville, Repton, Silas and Thomasville.

Jan. 26, 1967 – Dr. R. Dale LeCount, a retired Presbyterian minister who was then assistant to the president of Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Alabama, was to be the guest speaker at the annual Ladies Night Banquet of the Monroeville Chamber of Commerce on this Thursday night at the Community House. The banquet was scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. LeCount, a native of Syracuse, Ind., had been retired from the ministry since 1962.

Jan. 26, 1978 - Rhonda Griffin was chosen ‘Miss Rubicon” for 1978 at the annual pageant at Evergreen High School on this Thursday. The Rubicon was the school’s annual and was to feature Rhonda and Katrinka Rankins, first alternate, and Melissa Johnson, second alternate, in the annual’s beauty section.

Jan. 26, 1978 - The Evergreen Chamber of Commerce held its first Executive Board meeting of the year on this Thursday at Evergreen City Hall. The new board members were installed by the past-president, Ed Smith. New officers were elected as follows: President, Gary Robinson; Vice President, Coston Bowers; Treasurer, Claude Jernigan. Mrs. Doris Sexton will continue to serve as Executive Secretary for the Chamber.

Jan. 26, 1983 - Alabamians were shocked and saddened when retired University of Alabama football coach Paul “Bear” Bryant died suddenly from a heart attack. Bryant began coaching at Alabama in 1958 and went on to win six national championships with the team. In 1981 he became football's "winningest" coach with 315 victories.

Jan. 26, 1988 – Frisco City High School’s varsity boys basketball team beat Excel, 54-48. Top Frisco City players in that game included Cleveland Banks, Robert Byrd, Lorenzo Lawson, Terry Tucker and Clifton Tucker.

Jan. 26, 1989 – The Andalusia Commercial Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Jan. 26, 2006 – The Evergreen Courant reported that Hillcrest’s varsity boys basketball team was just two games away from posting a perfect record in area play that season, after adding wins over Opp and Geneva to its record during the previous week. Four Jaguars scored in double figures against Opp with Cleveland Knight getting 15 points on five three-pointers to lead the crew. Other players on Hillcrest’s team that year included Chris Hines, Nick Lovelace, Justin Holder, P.K. Riley, Nick Ackron, Richard Johnson, Derrell Simpson, Blake Bryant and Robert Thomas.

Jan. 26, 2006 – The Evergreen Courant reported that, with a perfect 4-0 standing in the area race, all the Sparta Academy Warriors needed was one more victory to clinch the regular season championship. That victory came in the form of a 68-46 blowout of the visiting Jackson Academy Eagles that was keyed by Eric Talbot’s 21-point performance. Other players on Sparta’s team that season included Tony Raines, Michael Campbell, Will Ivey, Chris Cinereski, J.R. Williams, Jacob Patillo, D.J. Buckhault and Chase Brown. Russ Brown was head coach.

Jan. 26, 2006 – The Evergreen Courant reported Ashton Garner led Sparta Academy’s girls in a 57-43 win over Clarke Prep in Evergreen. Other players on Sparta’s girls team that season included Erin Brock, Erica Palmer, Mallory Kendrick, Susan Ann Cook, Morgan Harden, Kara Layton, Deanna Covin and Camarena Godwin. Russ Brown was head coach.

Jan. 26, 2010 - The AISA District Spelling Bee was held on this Tuesday at Reid State Technical College in Evergreen. Winners were, eighth grade, Rachel Riley, Sparta Academy; fifth grade, Grace Terry, Escambia Academy; seventh grade, Taylor Chavers, Sparta Academy; fourth grade, Austin Phillips, Fort Dale Academy; and sixth grade, Rachel Jackson Fort Dale Academy. District organizer was Heather West. Spelling Bee pronouncer was Zebbie Nix, and judges were Ann Sage and Susan Cook.

Jan. 26, 2010 - Monroe County High School’s varsity boys basketball team beat Clarke County, 63-62 on this Tuesday night on a last-second lay-up. Jonathan Johnson hit the lay-up as time expired after hauling in a court-length pass from JoDarius Boykin with 1.3 seconds left. Johnson finished with 19 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and two steals to lead the Tigers. Other top MCHS players in that game included Aaron Chaney, Anthony Hinton, Jaterius McMillian, Travis Patrick, Sherrod Smith and Grant White. Jerome Antone was MCHS’s head coach.