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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