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

USS Saipan

23 YEARS AGO

OCT. 3, 1996

Former resident recognized: Monroeville native Cynthia Tucker, editorial page editor of the Atlanta Constitution, has been featured in the September issue of “George” magazine as “One of the 20 Most Fascinating Women in Politics.”

Ms. Tucker’s Monroeville roots and her rise to be considered “the voice, if not the conscience of the most influential newspaper in the South’s premier city,” are noted in the article.

J.F. Shields High School’s 26-2 win over Paramount High School Friday in Beatrice gave the Panthers a good hold on first place in the 2A Area 2 race.

(Donald) Armstrong paced Shields’ offense, collecting 136 yards on 17 rushes. He caught one pass for five yards. On defense, the Panthers were led by Kelvin Sanders, who had 11 tackles and a pass interception.

(Other top players for Shields in that game included Terrance Clausell, Arvin Dailey, Reno Dailey, Trenton Harrison, Rufus Hawkins, Darren Marshall, Ray Odom, Thomas Shumake and Warren Stallworth. Melvin Pete Jr. was Shields’ head coach.)

Club officers installed for 50^th year: Monroeville Kiwanis Club installed officers for the 1996-97 club year, its 50^th, Sept. 27, effective Oct. 1. Among those participating in the installation were Bill Wager, board member; Harry Sawyer, president; Bill Miller, first vice president; Rose Johnson, second vice president; Phil Allen, secretary; David Stewart, treasurer; Ray Hogg, state lieutenant governor; and Al Brewton, immediate past president. (Other board members included Tom Lomenick, Gerald Melton, Conrad Watson, Rex Williams, J.W. Sales, Peggy Jaye, Trent Stockman, Corky Fountain and Butch Feaster.)

48 YEARS AGO

OCT. 7, 1971

Full military funeral services for Staff Sgt. Charles Wayne Turberville were held Wed., Oct. 6, at the Eureka Baptist Church with Rev. Calvin Lashley and Rev. Freeman Smith officiating. Burial was in Bryant Cemetery.

The Honor Guard was comprised of Marine reservists from units in Mobile and Montgomery.

Staff Sgt. Turberville, 21, of Finchburg died Sun., Sept. 26, as a result of a terrorist attack in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Vols out-shoot Rebels, 28-6: Monroe Academy continues as the No. 1-ranked private school football team after rolling by vaunted Lowndes Academy Thursday night, 28-6.

K.J. Lazenby and George Scott were both outstanding on defense for Monroe Academy.

(Other top MA players in that game included Doug Boswell, James Chunn, Johnny “Snake” Hollinger and Rob Kelly.)

Nursing home plans detailed: Details of a modern new Monroeville nursing home, which is expected to open for occupancy in May 1972, have been released by Thad Hawkins of Jackson, Miss., president of the firm which planned the facility.

Hawkins disclosed the details in releasing an artist’s conception of what the nursing home will look like.

Lazenby Electric Co., Monroeville contractor for the project, has already done much of the preliminary ground work at the building site on the south side of the Monroe County Hospital.

73 YEARS AGO

OCT. 3, 1946

COLISEUM WORK IS APPROVED: Recommendations of the Agriculture Center Board for construction of regional livestock coliseums at Decatur, Gadsden, Demopolis, Selma, Monroeville and Andalusia have been approved by Gov. Sparks. In announcing his approval, Gov. Sparks asked that construction be begun as soon as possible.

“Sonny” Gardner arrived home early this week from Germany, where he had been serving in the Army of Occupation for a year. He returned by plane and stopped off in Birmingham to see his father, Mr. E.H. Gardner, who has been desperately ill for several weeks.

Williams Brents Lee, a student in forestry has returned to API, Auburn, after spending his vacation with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Lee, in Frisco City.

S2/c Wilson Lowery and Rayford Huggins of Mexia, are home on nine-day leaves from the Navy. Wilson and Rayford are serving aboard the USS Little Rock, and at the end of their leave they will board their ship at Norfolk, Va.

Misses Anne Hines and Sara Ann McCall left Sunday for Auburn, where they will attend college this winter.

BOY SCOUTS VISIT PENSACOLA NAVAL BASE: The Monroeville Scout Troop spent Saturday at the U.S. Navy Yard in Pensacola. In addition to a tour of the naval base, they went aboard the Carrier Saipan, which is moored there. The scouts were accompanied by A.B. Blass, D.L. McCall, J.T. Moore, J.L. Bowden and B.L. Chambers.

98 YEARS AGO

OCT. 6, 1921

The alarm of fire created considerable excitement for a short time Friday night. The fire was discovered in a wing of the Commercial Hotel and originated from a defective flue. Scores of volunteer firefighters were soon at the scene and the blaze quickly extinguished with slight damage.

The Monroe County High School defeated Thomasville High in the first game of the season at Thomasville Friday afternoon by a score of 2 to 0. Features of the game were the playing of Stabler of Thomasville and the end runs of Andress and Kearley and the persistent tackling of Farish and Black for Monroeville, which caused the defeat of Thomasville.

Mr. and Mrs. L.L. Hendrix and little daughter and Mr. Fielding Nettles spent a few days last week in Pensacola on the occasion of the Shriners ceremonial.

NOTICE: Attention Camp Foster! Attend meeting of your camp Sat., Oct. 15, in Monroeville. Delegates to be elected to represent the camp at the (Confederate) Reunion at Chattanooga Oct. 25 to 27. By order of Col. D.J. Hatter, Commander; J.L. Marshall, Adjutant.

Senator Riley Kelly of Excel was a business visitor to Monroeville Tuesday. Senator Kelly was unable to be present at the opening of the extra session of the legislature on account of pressing private business.

The Monroeville Chamber of Commerce will stage a four-day Agricultural Fair and Business Revival in behalf of the merchants and businessmen Nov. 21 to 24, inclusive.

123 YEARS AGO

OCT. 1, 1896

Deputy Sheriff G.A. Watson of Burnt Corn spent Monday in the city.

The Bear Creek Mill Co. is rapidly extending its timber road in the direction of Monroeville. Grading has reached a point about two and one-half miles from town and track laying is only a short distance behind. A large force of hands and teams are kept constantly employed on the work. From this, it would seem that it will not be long ere the voice of the iron horse will be heard within the precincts of our village.

Pineville: Prof. J.T. Adam has a fine school here with 28 scholars in number with the prospects of having a great deal more later on.

The Monroeville Academy continues to grow and flourish as a green bay tree. Three more matriculates enrolled on Monday, viz: Julia and Lizzie Wiggins and Marvin Jones.

The next 10 days will witness the final windup of the work of picking the cotton crop of 1896 in this section. The shortage will be at least 50 percent of a full crop.

Wilcox New Era: Mr. J.C. Hart brought to our office Monday an ear of corn which was popped in his field by the sun. All who are thoroughly satisfied that the above statement is a newspaper yarn are invited to call and examine the corn.

Mr. and Mrs. C.W. Zimmerman of Manistee were in the city on Wednesday. Messrs. H.A. Lockwood and A.T. Sowell of Manistee spent last Sabbath in Monroeville.