The Evergreen Courant's News Flashback for Dec. 17, 2019

11 YEARS AGO
DEC. 18, 2010


The First United Methodist Church of Evergreen’s float received the first-place trophy for best float during judging prior to Evergreen’s annual Christmas parade on Saturday. The float featured Santa Claus, costumed children and adults and flashing electric lights.

Tombstone dedicated: Saturday afternoon was overcast with a slight chill in the air, but you couldn’t tell it on the faces of those in attendance at the headstone dedication of Pvt. David Quates, a member of Co. H, 23^rd Alabama Volunteer Infantry Regiment, CSA.

At the request of the family, the Col. Pinckney D. Bowles local camp of Sons of Confederate Veterans hosted what can only be called a splendid ceremony. Mitchell Anthony, Commander of the local SCV Camp, led the group in pledges and salutes to the flags. Next, Sherry Johnston, President of the Alabama Cemetery Preservation Alliance and Canebrake Genealogical and Historical Society, presented her remarks to all and thanks for her being allowed to be a part of it.

Judge Sue Bell Cobb speaks at Troy graduation: Justice Sue Bell Cobb spoked Friday at fall commencement ceremonies in Sartain Hall on the Troy Campus. Dr. Jack Hawkins Jr., Chancellor, presented diplomas to 350 graduates from 16 U.S. states and 12 other nations at the ceremony. Cobb, a native of Evergreen, was elected Chief Justice in 2007 after having been elected to the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals in 1994.

36 YEARS AGO

DEC. 15, 1983

Evergreen Postmaster Gene Hyde presents a service award certificate to Julian Ptomey who retired recently after 23 years of service as a rural carrier. Fellow employees gave Ptomey gifts of appreciation for his many years of service and friendship.

Winners of the recent “Alabama Journal” Spelling Bee at Southside School were Sharon Alexander, first place; Charity Wallace, second place; and Gary Armstrong, third place.

The annual Christmas Parade will be held in Repton Sat., Dec. 17, at 2 p.m. Santa will be in the parade along with the Castleberry Band, Conecuh County Junior Miss, floats from various churches and organizations, decorated cars, antique trucks, Shriners, clowns, Smokey Bear, baton twirlers, horses and fire departments from Range, Belleville, Bermuda, Lenox and Repton will display their equipment and new fire units during the parade. Santa will be at the City Hall for an hour after the parade to visit with the children.

Evergreen weather observer Earl Windham reported 1.11 inches of rain on Dec. 14 and 0.6 inches of rain on Dec. 6. He reported a high of 78 degrees on Dec. 4 and a low of 28 on Dec. 8.

Melissa Woodham and Everett Tullis will represent Conecuh County at the State Spelling Bee to be held in Montgomery in January. Both are students at Marshall Middle School.

51 YEARS AGO

DEC. 19, 1968

Judge Cary Murphy, 77, died on Wed., Dec. 11, after a long illness at a local hospital.

He owned and operated a restaurant for many years and also built and operated a motel for a number of years.

The Judson C. Murphy Recreation Center (now The Murphy Club) was named for his only son, Lt. Judson Murphy, who was lost in action while serving with the Army Air Corps in World War II. Mr. Murphy donated the land for this center.

On Oct. 19, 1918, Purnell Salter of Burnt Corn came to Evergreen to buy a tag for his automobile. On Oct. 19, 1968, 50 years later to the day, he was back in town getting another tag. He’s bought one here each year since, according to Judge of Probate Frank T. Salter.

He still has his receipt for his 1918 tag. Issued by Judge of Probate S.P. Dunn, it shows that Purnell Salter paid $7.50 license tax on a Ford automobile and the license plate issued him bears number 17820.

The City of Evergreen offices have moved into the handsome new City Hall. Mayor Henry Sessions said that while some furnishings are not yet installed, the new building is serviceable. He said that the City Council plans to hold a dedicatory service and open house in January or February.

The city’s electrical, water and streets and sanitation departments are in the process of moving into their new quarters in the basement of the new City Hall.

Conecuh-Monroe Counties Gas District is expected to move into its new quarters in the new City Hall by the end of the month, according to Manager E.L. Smith.

66 YEARS AGO

DEC. 17, 1953

THE WEATHER: Last week: Evergreen Airport, high 70, low 29, rainfall 3.48 inches in six days. Report by Weather Bureau, U.S. Department of Commerce.

Conecuh County voters renewed the countywide one-mill school tax for another 20 years by piling up better than a four to one vote in favor of the tax in Tuesday’s election. The final vote, unofficial, from the county’s 35 boxes was 760 in favor of the tax and 177 against.

Pvt. Levon Peacock Jr., 20, of Owassa, Ala., who recently arrived in Germany, is a cannoneer in Battery B of the 1st Infantry Division’s 32nd Field Artillery Battalion.

Pfc. Thomas Raines is now serving in Japan with the 8th Cav. Regt.

Sgt. Lowell Taylor Is Home From Austria: Sgt. Lowell P. Taylor recently returned to the United States after serving 16 months in Austria with the 350th Infantry Regiment and was honorably discharged after completing his period of service with the U.S. Army.

86 YEARS AGO

DEC. 21, 1933

Funeral Held Saturday For Andrew W. Sarren: Funeral services were held Saturday 11 o’clock at Hamden Ridge for Andrew W. Sarren, age 67, well known resident of that community. Rev. R.D. Wright conducted the services which were concluded at the grave with Masonic rites.

Deceased was born in Finland and removed to this county about 40 years ago, where he had since made his home. For the past several years his health had been failing and his death was not wholly unexpected. He was a substantial, straight-forward citizen esteemed by a host of friends and neighbors.

He is survived by his widow and a young daughter, also a grandson. Wild Brothers were in charge of arrangements.

County Schools Will Close On Friday: All county schools will close down Friday afternoon for the holidays and the grammar or elementary schools will close permanently for the year unless Old Santa Claus or some other benefactor of good boys and girls appears on the scene and provides means to let them continue after the holidays. At this time, no way is in sight and so far as is known by school authorities, Friday will mark the end of the term for all grammar schools of the county. These schools will have been in session three and one half months, one half of a normal term.

The high schools of the county will reopen after the holidays and run for two weeks, making them complete four months, the minimum allowed by the Department of Education for a half year’s work in accredited high schools.