Monday, January 7, 2019

Today in History for Jan. 7, 2019


Jan. 7, 1781 – British Capt. Von Hanxleden was killed during a bayonet attack on Spanish Fort, in present-day Alabama, which prompted his men to retreat to Pensacola, Fla.

Jan. 7, 1806 – The Cherokee ceded their rights on this day in the “Treaty of Washington” to almost 7,000 square miles in Tennessee and Alabama. The government agreed to pay them $2,000 at that time and $2,000 a year for the next four years. The government gave them a grist mill and a machine to clean cotton. Cherokee Chief Black Fox received $100 per year for life. Combined with the land from the Chickasaw Treaty, the area from this treaty covered 345,600 acres.
  
Jan. 7, 1837 – Confederate veteran Francis Marion Grice, a member of the Conecuh Guards, was born. He died on Oct. 31, 1910 and is buried in the Fort Crawford Cemetery in East Brewton in Escambia County, Ala.

Jan. 7, 1839 – Cyler Salter was appointed postmaster of Monroeville, Ala.

Jan. 7, 1839 - The Judson Female Institute in Marion, Ala. opened its doors for its first sessions, hosting six women and three men. A Baptist college dedicated to educating women, it was named for Ann Hasseltine Judson, one of the nation's first female foreign missionaries. The institution was granted an incorporation charter from the Alabama State Legislature on Jan. 9, 1841, and the first commencement was held in July 1841. The school was renamed Judson College in 1903, and Judson is the nation’s fifth oldest women’s college.

Jan. 7, 1861 – The Secession Convention of Alabama assembled in Montgomery.

Jan. 7, 1877 – Baseball player, coach and lawyer William Clarence Matthews was born in Selma, Ala. After studying at the Tuskegee Institute and the Phillips Academy, he enrolled in Harvard University in 1901 and became one of the school’s best baseball players, leading the team in batting average during the 1903, 1904 and 1905 seasons. In the summer of 1905, he joined the Burlington, Vermont baseball team of the Northern League, a pro baseball league of that time.

Jan. 7, 1885 – The body of an “unknown white man” was discovered at Gosport, Ala. He’d “evidently been coldly murdered and mutilated by cutting off both ears and the entire scalp, leaving a little hair around the edges of the back part of the head.” He’d been killed either late on Sun., Jan. 4, or early on Mon., Jan. 5, beside a campfire along the road then dragged about 30 paces into the woods, where he was “thrown behind a log and hastily covered with leaves and pine straw.”

Jan. 7, 1887 – Horace Hood, who bought The Monroe Journal in October 1875, sold The Journal to 18-year-old Q. Salter.  Salter would serve as editor and publisher until 1929.

Jan. 7, 1891 - Author Zora Neale Hurston was born in Notasulga, Ala. She grew up in Eatonville, Fla. and her most famous novel, “Their Eyes Were Watching God,” was published in 1937.

Jan. 7, 1895 - Work “on the interior improvement” of the Monroe County (Ala.) Courthouse was resumed “after several days’ suspension.” The Monroe Journal reported that “the walls will be ready in a few days for plasterers to begin work.”
  
Jan. 7, 1903 – The Monroeville (Ala.) Public High School, which was built in 1895, burned and wasn’t replaced until eight years later.

Jan. 7, 1908 – The preliminary trial of J.M. “Jas” Knight, a young man who was arrested a few days prior and charged with the murder of Henry Burgess in October 1907, was held at 11 a.m. at the Conecuh County Courthouse in Evergreen, Ala. After hearing the evidence in the case, Judge Atkinson discharged Knight from custody when the defense offered no evidence “of rebuttal.” The mystery surrounding Burgess’ murder remained unsolved. “Young Knight was congratulated by his friends at the conclusion of the trial, he having been exonerated.”

Jan. 7, 1909 – Bowles Post Office, which opened on Feb. 17, 1887 at the residence of John Kelly 12-1/2 miles north of Evergreen, moved one mile south to the W.E. “Bill” Cook Store, where the post office remained until it permanently closed on March 21, 1911.

Jan. 7, 1909 – The Monroe Journal reported that the post office at Shibboleth had been discontinued because the postmaster, Z. Tuberville, had failed to qualify.

Jan. 7, 1909 – The Monroe Journal reported that, according to an advertisement appearing in that issue, the neighboring town of Jones Mill was taking steps to incorporate.

Jan. 7, 1909 – The Monroe Journal reported that a large meteor fell in the western portion of Perry County one night during the previous week. It came from the southwest and could be seen throughout the county. A short time after it fell a distinct shock was felt over a large part of the county that caused windows and doors to rattle.

Jan. 7, 1909 – The Monroe Journal reported that Miss Ruby Green, daughter of a well-known farmer living near Newburgh, died of hydrophobia contracted in an unusual manner. The community had been troubled some time with mad dogs and one recently bit a horse owned by the father of the young lady. The horse later went mad and was shot. Miss Green had a slight abrasion on her left wrist and in some manner this became affected while she was around the horse. She was never bitten by either the dog or the horse.

Jan. 7, 1909 – The Monroe Journal reported that V.J. Herlong and E.L. Mathis of Manistee visited Monroeville earlier that week.

Jan. 7, 1909 – The Monroe Journal reported that J.N. Cammac of the Scott-Blacksher Commission Co., Mobile, visited Monroeville earlier that week.

Jan. 7, 1909 – The Monroe Journal reported that Capt. J.H. and Mr. J.A. McCreary of Turnbull were in Monroeville the first of the week attending county court.
  
Jan. 7, 1915 – A “Mrs. Watson” of Bermuda died in the Monroe County Jail in Monroeville, Ala. She’d been arrested for vagrancy and it was believed that she was a narcotics addict. (This was likely Jennie Bell Watson, who was born in 1880, and was buried in the Watson-Green Cemetery at Drewry in Monroe County, Ala.)

Jan. 7, 1915 – The Monroe Journal reported that two prisoners recently escaped from the Monroe County (Ala.) Jail after Jailor J.W. Urquhart “detailed them to carry fuel into the building for heating purposes.” One of the prisoners was caught during a foot chase, and the other turned himself back in the following day “after spending one night in the cold.”

Jan. 7, 1915 – The Conecuh Record reported that John Lasiter caught a large catamount in a trap a few days before on the Moorer Plantation.

Jan. 7, 1915 – The Conecuh Record reported that M.C. Reynolds had resigned as superintendent of the orphanage in Evergreen, Ala. and planned to move to Birmingham.

Jan. 7, 1915 – George Hillery Oswald, a 45-year-old who was seriously injured in a fall from the roof of a two-story house in Evergreen, Ala. two days before, passed away on this night. He was buried in the Evergreen Cemetery.
  
Jan. 7, 1916 – Chancery Court was held in Evergreen, Ala. on this Thursday with Chancellor Lewis of Tuskegee presiding.

Jan. 7, 1918 – During World War I, Army Pvt. George T. Hurt of Thomasville, Ala. “died from disease” at the age of 23. He is buried in the Midway Baptist Church Cemetery in Clarke County, Ala.

Jan. 7, 1918 – Wilcox County Schools Superintendent O.C. Weaver; Mrs. W.J. Bonner, president of the Wilcox School Improvement Association; and Mrs. W.W. Primm, secretary of that organization; were visitors to Awin on this Monday and met with local workers in that community.

Jan. 7, 1919 - Bob Jones, the “Famous Evangelist,” was scheduled to speak at the Methodist Church in Evergreen on this Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Jan. 7, 1921 - A “big gun,” weighing 161 tons, passed through Evergreen, Ala. on this Friday night in route to Pensacola and “a number of citizens got a glimpse of it.” The train carrying it was required to travel at a slow rate of speed owing to its extreme weight. “The gun, it is said, is superior to the one used by the Germans during the late war to bombard Paris 76 miles away.”

Jan. 7, 1930 – Republican politician Ann Bedsole was born in Selma, Ala. and she would go on to be the first Republican woman elected to the State House and State Senate.

Jan. 7, 1938 – Major League Baseball first baseman Fred Whitfield was born in Vandiver, Ala. He attended Woodlawn High School in Birmingham and went on to play for the St. Louis Cardinals, the Cleveland Indians, the Cincinnati Reds and the Montreal Expos.

Jan. 7, 1952 – Marine Capt. Wallace Norman Wood of Butler County, Ala. was killed in action in Korea at the age of 28. Born on July 18, 1923, he was a veteran of World War II and a Purple Heart recipient. During the Korean War, he was the pilot of a F4U-4B Corsair fighter with Marine Fighter Squadron 323, Marine Air Group 12, 1st Marine Air Wing. On Jan. 7, 1952, while on a combat mission near Sibyon-ni, South Korea, his aircraft received a direct hit by anti-aircraft fire, went into a tight spin and crashed. He is buried in Liberty United Methodist Cemetery in Butler County, Ala. (but some records indicate that his remains were not recovered.)

Jan. 7, 1958 - The City of Evergreen agreed to purchase a new car for the police department during a city council meeting on this Tuesday night. The car was a 1958 Ford and Bradley Motor Company’s low bid was for $1,793.20.

Jan. 7, 1960 – Ralph Bunche High School of Andalusia beat Conecuh County Training School’s boys basketball team, 31-23, in Andalusia, Ala.
  
Jan. 7, 1966 - Brent Thornley, a senior and co-captain of the 1965 football team at Evergreen High School, won both top awards at the Evergreen Quarterback Club’s annual football banquet on this Friday night at the EHS lunchroom. QB President Waynard Price was master of ceremonies and recognized special guests. The invocation was given by the Rev. Frank Scott. The featured speaker was Richard Williamson, University of Alabama assistant football coach. Evergreen Jaycee President Harold Ryals presented the Jaycees’ Most Outstanding Player of the Year Award to Thornley. EHS Principal Morris Ward presented the D.T. Stuart Football Sportsmanship Trophy to Thornley in behalf of the donor, Tal Stuart. Williamson was a receiver and defensive end on Alabama’s 1961 national championship team. Alabama safety and sideback John Moseley of Thomaston was expected to accompany Williamson to the banquet.
  
Jan. 7, 1975 – The undefeated Sparta Academy Warriors ran their season basketball record to 6-0 on this Tuesday night when they trounced Greenville Academy 94-75 in Greenville. Ronnie Pugh tossed in 49 points, a school record, to lead the Warrior scoring. Bobby Johnson added 19; Eddie Hooks, 10; Jerry Peacock, eight; and Danny Joyner, six. Johnson, Walker Scott and Joyner were the leading rebounders. The high-scoring Sparta cagers are averaging better than 88 points a game. Prior to Tuesday night, Hooks was the leading scorer averaging 22 points a game. He was one of only three seniors on the team. Scott Johnson was the leading rebounder.

Jan. 7, 1977 – Sparta Academy’s boys basketball team recorded a 77-63 road win over South Butler Academy. Bobby Johnson led Sparta with 17 points. Tim Johnson had 15, and Jerry Peacock scored 12.

Jan. 7, 1983 - United Bank (formerly the Peoples Bank of Frisco City) opened a Monroeville branch on this Friday in temporary facilities and planned to start construction soon on a new building in the same location. A trailer outfitted with three teller windows, desks and offices were set up on this Friday on the bank’s recently purchased property at 1803 South Alabama Ave.

Jan. 7, 1992 – Work clothes manufacturer Williamson-Dickie Manufacturing Company in Frisco City, Ala., which was built in 1959, burned and was replaced by Medline Industries.

Jan. 7, 1992 – Steven Wayne Hall was released from the University of South Alabama Medical Center in Mobile, Ala. where he had been treated for gunshot wounds to his right leg and buttocks. Hall and an accomplice, Wayne Travis, were both shot by law enforcement officers on Dec. 15 during a chase through a wooded area of Monroe County. Both men were suspects in the Dec. 14, 1991 murder of 69-year-old Clarene Haskew in Conecuh County.

Jan. 7, 1993 – The Evergreen Courant reported that Amtrak officials were preparing to shut down the Gulf Breeze Line, the twice daily passenger train, which serviced Evergreen and other towns in South Alabama. The Gulf Breeze made two daily stops in Evergreen. It began its journey each day at 7:55 a.m., leaving Mobile headed north. Making stops in Bay Minette, Atmore and Brewton, the approximate arrival time at Evergreen’s Depot each morning is 9:43 a.m. Leaving Evergreen, it made stops in Greenville and Montgomery before ending its route in Birmingham at 1:30 p.m.
  
Jan. 7, 2000 - Sparta Academy traveled to Montgomery on this Friday to take on the Calvary Watchmen. Sparta’s varsity girls won, 64-50, and Sparta’s JV girls won, 35-26. Sparta’s varsity boys lost, 63-46, and Sparta’s JV boys lost, 39-37. Katie Etheridge was the leading scorer for Sparta in the varsity girls game with 24 points. Also scoring in double figures was Jessica Bennett with 16 points. Rounding out the scoring were Mary Robinson with eight points, Callie Ezell with six points and Laura Wiggins and Jill Pate with five points each. Anna Aman was the leading scorer for Sparta in the JV girls with 14 points. She was followed by Katie Etheridge with nine points, Callie Ezell and Susan Ivey with five points each and Jessica Armuelles with two points. Lee Booker was the leading scorer for the Warriors in the varsity boys game with 15 points. Also scoring in double figures was John McKenzie with 10 points. Also putting points on the board were Derek Faulkner and Derrick Williams with five points each, Jake Adams with four points, Justin Tranum with three points, and Rusty Salter and Jimmy Hyde with two points each. Chris Garner was the leading scorer for the JV Warriors with 19 points. Rounding out the scoring were Wiley Cobb and Jeremy Anderson with six points each, Drew Davis was four points and Cole Commander with two points.

  
Jan. 7, 2010 - Coach Nick Saban led the University of Alabama football team, including Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram, to win the BCS National Championship in Pasadena, Calif. against the Texas Longhorns with a final score of 37 to 21. This was also Drew Davis’ final game at Alabama.

Jan. 7, 2011 – Hillcrest High School’s varsity boys basketball team, ranked No. 4 in Class 4A, beat 4A Area 2 rival Monroe County High School, 53-45, in Monroeville, Ala. Standout Hillcrest players in that game included Barron Smith and DeAundre Lyons. Hillcrest girls suffered a 44-22 loss to Monroe County High.

Jan. 7, 2013 - No. 2-ranked University of Alabama defeated No. 1-ranked Notre Dame, 42-14, to earn the BCS National Championship in Miami, making it the fourth national championship won by Coach Nick Saban.

Jan. 7-8, 2015 – Weather reporter Betty Ellis reported low temperatures of 13 degrees on both of these days in Evergreen.

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