It’s that time of the month again, time to take a trip
down memory lane and review all of the interesting things that took place in
Conecuh County 100 years ago, way back in February 1920.
In the Feb. 4, 1920 edition of The Evergreen Courant, editor
and owner George W. Salter Jr. reported, that Robert Long “left yesterday
afternoon for his semi-annual visit to New York and other eastern markets to
purchase the spring and summer stock for his firm, I. Long & Sons. Miss
Althea Burke accompanied him on the trip to assist in the selections. Miss
Burke has long been identified with this store and will be of material aid to
him in purchasing one of the most varied lines of ladies goods ever carried by
this popular store. Miss Diaz, the trimmer, will also be with them to look
after the selection of stock for the millinery department. They will be in the
markets not less than three weeks.”
Also that week, readers learned that “Hon. and Mrs. J.M.
Thomas are greatly distressed over the receipt of a message from the army
hospital in San Antonio, Texas, announcing the serious illness of their son,
Mabry Thomas, who is suffering with pneumonia. Latest advices stated that there
was slight improvement in the young man’s condition.”
Salter also reported that week that the “groundhog surely
failed to see his shadow Monday, and we shall now see if this portends an early
spring, or the end of winter, whichever it means, if it means anything.”
It was also reported that week that “influenza is epidemic
in many parts of the north, west and east and many deaths have resulted. In
Alabama, the number of cases is not nearly so large as last winter. There have
been a few cases in this vicinity. Most of our people had the malady last
winter.”
In the Feb. 11, 1920 edition of The Courant, it was
reported that “Wild Bros. Hardware Co. have just received advance card from the
Simmons Hardware Co., the Keen Kutter People, announcing that their
representative would be here in an airplane in a few days. This is the first
traveling man to make this territory in an airplane, but from now on we look
for this business to grow and Evergreen ought to arrange a landing place if she
expects to stay in line with other progressive towns.”
Salter also reported that “Mr. and Mrs. J.M. Thomas
received a message from their son, Mabry Thomas, a few days ago stating that he
is rapidly recovering from an attack of pneumonia. For a while, they were very
apprehensive, fearing that he would not recover, and they were overjoyed at the
gratifying news from him that he is on the road to health again. He is in the
army hospital in San Antonio, Texas.”
Salter also reported that the “County Board of Education
met on Feb. 6 and adopted plans for building a number of first-class schools
viz Evergreen, Castleberry, Mt. Zion, Flat Rock and Loree.
“The building at Evergreen will be a one-story building
and contain seven classrooms, manual training and domestic science rooms. It
will have a special auditorium, Superintendent office and library. The building
will be steam heated throughout. This building embodies the latest things in
school architecture. This building will fill a long felt need in Evergreen.”
In the Feb. 18, 1920 edition of the newspaper, under the
headline “Home of J.T. Amos Destroyed by Fire,” it was reported that “the
splendid home of J.T. Amos was totally destroyed by fire on last Sunday
afternoon. How the fire originated is not known. When first discovered the
flames were beginning to eat their way through the roof on the south side, and
being fanned by a stiff north breeze, they spread rapidly and in a very short
while the entire roof was in flames.
“The Amos home was an attractive two-story structure,
built about 19 years ago of the best material attainable. To replace it would
entail a very heavy cost, besides it is doubtful if anything like the same
class of material could be had at any price.
“Mr. Amos had left town on train No. 6 only a short time
before the fire alarm was given. He was intercepted at Georgiana with the
distressing news of his misfortune and carried home on No. 1, which was running
late.”
Elsewhere in that week’s paper it was reported that “S.
Deming lost all of his personal effects in the Amos residence fire, except what
he had with him on a trip to New Orleans. Among the valuables he lost which he
probably prized higher than anything destroyed, was a collection of rare and
costly volumes of books which it is doubtful if he will ever be able to
replace, and which to him were priceless in value. Mr. Deming has for a number
of years had apartments in the Amos home. He will be sorely grieved when he
learns of his loss.”
In another column of that week’s paper, it was reported
that “Misses Cooper and Sightler, teachers in the agricultural school, lost all
of their personal effects and wearing apparel in the Amos residence fire except
what they were wearing at the time. The young ladies were much distressed over
their loss.”
In the Feb. 25, 1920 edition of the paper, it was reported
that “W.H. Wild is having the old Cooper house removed to another lot nearby.
Folk are wondering what will take the place of the old landmark, but Mr. Wild
is keeping his own counsel if he has anything up his sleeve. Some have
suggested that it is an ideal site for a tourist hotel, and it would be, but
whether it will be used for such purpose or for other purposes will develop
later.”
Also that week it was reported that “the flu situation at
Castleberry is reported much improved and schools resumed work on Monday. Most
of those affected with the malady are convalescent and very few new cases are
reported.”
Also that week, under the headline “Sad Death at
Castleberry,” it was reported that “Charles L. Bates died at his home in
Castleberry on Saturday last as a result of an attack of pneumonia, following
an attack of influenza. He was 27 years of age.
“His remains were brought here on Saturday afternoon for
interment, the funeral taking place on Sunday morning from the home of his
parents, Mr. and Mrs. H.S. Bates, at West Side, conducted by Dr. J.A. Peterson,
interment in Evergreen cemetery.”
Also that week, under the headline “Surprise Wedding,” it
was reported that “L.D. King Jr., young son of Mr. and Mrs. L.D. King, and Miss
Forest McCreary furnished a genuine surprise to everybody on last Wednesday
when the announcement came that they had been married in Bainbridge, Ga. The
young lady was in Mobile, and young King hied himself down there without anyone
knowing his purpose or intentions, secured the girl and together they sought
refuge in another state where they might be ‘joined together for better or
worse.’ They reached home on Thursday afternoon to receive the blessings of
their parents and the good wishes of friends.”
Well, I guess that’s all that space will allow for this
month. Next month, I plan to take a look at the events of March 1920 in Conecuh
County. Until then, if you get the urge to research the county’s past yourself,
take advantage of the Evergreen-Conecuh County Public Library’s excellent
selection of old newspapers on microfilm and other resources. The library’s
friendly and courteous staff will be more than happy to get you started.
No comments:
Post a Comment