The Evergreen Courant's Sports Flashback for Aug. 31, 2020

Cliff Harper

22 YEARS AGO

AUG. 27, 1998

Barlow recipient of Hart Scholarship: Rotary Club of Evergreen, administrators of the Wendell Hart Scholarship Fund, announces that Ben Barlow has been named the recipient of the 1998 Wendell Hart Scholarship in the amount of $2,500.

This scholarship is presented in memory of Wendell Hart, former football coach of Evergreen High School. Coach Hart was dedicated to the success of his students not only in athletics but academics as well.

His enthusiasm and generosity so earned the respect of former students that they established this memorial scholarship in his name.

The Rotary Club of Evergreen continues to raise funds to help provide even more financial assistance to deserving students seeking higher education.

The Hillcrest Jaguars will kick off their 1998 football season at W.S. Neal in East Brewton tomorrow night. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.

The Sparta Academy Warriors kick off their 1998 football season on the road against Monroe Academy tomorrow night. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. Their first home game is here in Evergreen next Friday.

33 YEARS AGO

AUG. 27, 1987

Warrior blanks Sparta 21-0: Warrior Academy blanked the Sparta Academy Warriors 21-0 Saturday night in Eutaw.

Robbie Bolton had 15 yards on four carries; Lee Wild, 10 on 12; Kenny Bledsoe, 15 on 9; and Jamie Deason, 7 on 5.

Bledsoe completed five of eight pass attempts for 24 yards and was intercepted once. Brad Watts was incomplete on two tosses. Jeff Carrier had two catches for 21 yards; Watts, 1 for 9; Craig Blackburn, 1 for 1; and Deason, 1 for a loss of 7 yards.

Probable starters on defense for the Evergreen Aggies when they open the season with J.F. Shields here Friday night at 7:30 at Brooks Memorial Stadium are Craig Palmer, James Gross, Patrick Atkins and James Grace; Travis Stallworth, Greg Stanton, Tony Simpson and Russell Meeks; and Earl Johnson, Steve Cunningham and Marvin Cunningham.

This is probably the way the Evergreen High Aggies will line up on offense here Friday night when they meet J.F. Shields in Brooks Stadium in the season-opener at 7:30: Travis Stallworth, TE; Patrick Atkins, T; James Gross, G; Craig Blackburn, C; Russell Meeks, G; Scott Jones, T; and Marvin Cunningham, SE; Tony Simpson, TB; Steve Cunningham, FB; Jack Harvey, QB; and Greg Stanton, TB.

Head Coach Ed Parrish and Assistant Coach Gerry Watson are readying their Evergreen High Aggies for their season opener with J.F. Shields High School of Beatrice Friday night.

47 YEARS AGO

AUG. 30, 1973

Evergreen Aggies open the season: The Evergreen High Aggies will open the 1973 football season tomorrow night when they meet the powerful Georgiana High Panthers in Georgiana at 7:30.

The Aggies are hoping for better things this season under their new head coach, Buddy Davis. Coach Davis has as assistant coaches Charlie Branum and George Armstrong.

Sparta Warriors meet Greenville: The  Sparta Academy Warriors will open the 1973 season here Friday night when they meet Greenville Academy in Stuart-McGehee Field.

Head Coach Richard Brown and assistant Jimmy Hart and “Check” Ellis are hoping to improve on last season’s 5-5 record.

Returning starters are Walt Lee Ward, fullback; Buddy Monroe, quarterback; Greg McKenzie, Will Ward and George McKenzie, guards; Sam Skipper and Walker Scott, halfbacks; Tubby McInvale, tackle; Larry Reid, center; and Bruce Hutcheson, end and quarterback.

Other players being counted on are Eddie Hooks, end; Danny Joyner, Larry Darby and Ronnie Pugh, guards; Woody Register and Dennis Culbreth, tackles; Johnny Cook, center; Joe Andrews, quarterback; and Danny Baggett and Bobby Johnson, halfbacks.

Cheering the Aggies on when they open the 1973 football season in Georgiana tomorrow night will be these Evergreen High School cheerleaders: Lisa Armstrong, Susie Neese, Maxine Matthews and Martha Smith; and Sara Ward, Co-Capt. Melinda Ausby and Capt. Rita House.

Eight of north Alabama and Georgia’s top professional wrestlers tangle in an eight-man battle royal tonight at the Evergreen High Gymnasium at 8 p.m. The battle royal will lead off the Evergreen Quarterback Club’s first big wrestling card.

72 YEARS AGO

AUG. 26, 1948

From “The Week’s Wash” by Bob Bozeman – Cool nights have brought a flurry of football talk, the consensus of which seems to be that Evergreen will have a better team than last year. Well, it won’t be long before we find out just what they do have.

Practice will start at the high school next Wednesday, and exactly three weeks from Friday night Evergreen tangles with the improved Bulldogs of Repton High. One of the season’s largest crowds will probably be here for that one.

I understand that last year the people over in Repton had to hire a few night watchmen from Monroeville to guard the town the night of the Evergreen game. Everyone in Repton had gone to Evergreen to see the game.

Aggie Gridders Report To First Practice Sept. 1: Coach Wendell Hart issued a call this week for all football candidates to report to the high school next Wed., Sept. 1, at nine o’clock. The Evergreen High School head coach said that equipment would be issued and practice get underway at once.

Coach Hart has a big job in front of him to get the team ready for their first game Sept. 17. The Aggies will play the Bulldogs of Repton High in the season-opener at Brooks Stadium on the night of the 17^th.

All boys who will try for the team are urged to be at the school at nine next Wednesday morning, so that no delays will be encountered. The team will have only about 11 practice days before the game with Repton.

The Evergreen Greenies lost to the Standard Roofers of Montgomery by a 9 to 6 score. It was the first game they had lost at home this year.

High School Stars Play At Tuscaloosa Friday: Football will get an early start in Alabama this year with two teams of handpicked high school stars of the 1947 season scheduled to play in Tuscaloosa tomorrow night. The game will be played in Denny Stadium under the best lighting system in the state.

The best backs and linemen that concluded their high school careers last year have been divided into two squads, one representing the northern part of the state and the other the southern. H.L. “Shorty” Ogle of Decatur is head coach of the northern squad and J.E. “Hot” O’Brien of Tallassee heads the southern coaching staff.

No Evergreen High players will play in this first all-star classic, but Coach Wendell Hart of EHS is assisting O’Brien. Russell Taylor of Enterprise and Comer Sims of Selma are the other members of the south’s coaching staff.

Cliff Harper, former principal of Evergreen High and now the first full-time secretary of the state athletic association, was a member of the South’s staff, but resigned to put all his time to promotional work on the game. The athletic association is sponsor of this annual game.

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

Prof. Eugene A. Smith

22 YEARS AGO

AUG. 27, 1998

Sen. Richard Shelby told a group of about 120 Monroe County business and civic leaders that he supports President Bill Clinton’s decision to launch raids against terrorist bases in Afghanistan and the Sudan, though he isn’t sure what the president’s personal future holds.

On his annual swing through Monroe County, Shelby spoke to a luncheon meeting sponsored by the Monroeville Area Chamber of Commerce. During the meeting, he was presented with a painting of the Old Monroe County Courthouse.

Frisco, Excel kickoff tonight: One of the most storied high school football rivalries in Monroe County will, for the first time in at least the past 22 seasons, help kickoff the 1998 season in the county.

Frisco City and Excel high schools are slated to open their seasons tonight (Thursday) in the “Battle of Escambia Creek.” Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. in Frisco City.

In the past, this game that pits two of the county’s biggest rivals against each other has been played much later in the season.

Spec. Michael Lynn Heath of Kongstein, Germany died Mon., Aug. 17, 1998 at Kilimik Sued Hospital in Germany after being injured in a car accident the previous week.

Heath was a native of Frisco City. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Frisco City, and a loving, devoted husband, father, son, brother and friend. He was enlisted in the U.S. Army for the last four years, stationed in Vilsick, Germany.

Services were Mon., Aug. 24, 1998 at Anderson Funeral Home in Cameron, West Virginia. Burial was in the Highland Cemetery.

47 YEARS AGO

AUG. 30, 1973

Old Courthouse plans approved: The architectural firm handling the remodeling of the old Monroe County Courthouse building got the approval of the county commission Tuesday to advertise for bids on the work of renovating the exterior of the structure.

The estimated cost of repairing the exterior of the building will be from $45,000 to $50,000, according to the architects.

(Architect M.A.) Delahay said the plans call for grouting loose brick veneer back into place and making the building water tight. The structure will be covered with silicone and the cupola will be repaired.

He said engineers have checked the building and have found it to be structurally sound.

Watkins, Jones win golf tourney: The annual Vanity Fair Golf Club Tournament began Aug. 9 and concluded Aug. 25 with 54 local golfers competing. Forrest Watkins won the “A” division championship flight, and George Jones captured the “B” division championship flight.

Jim Kelly was runner-up in the “A” division with John Shannon winning the consolation. Jerry Dyess took the runner-up slot in the “B” division, and Jerry Steele won consolation.

Public school students in Monroe County will begin the 1973-74 school year tomorrow (Friday) when they report to their respective schools at 8 a.m.

Regular classes will not be held tomorrow as the day will mostly be taken up with registration and fee collection. Students are expected to be released by noon, said James Allen, county education superintendent.

72 YEARS AGO

AUG. 26, 1948

Four World War II Dead From Vicinity Are Enroute Home: Four World War II dead from Monroe County and vicinity are among the 206 from Alabama being returned to this country soon, according to information received this week from the Army Distribution Depot in Atlanta, Ga.

The remains of Pvt. Bennie F. Amerson, whose next of kin is listed as Mrs. Grace S. Amerson of Excel, and Pvt. Harry L. Gary Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry L. Gary Sr. of Lanett, former residents of Monroeville, are scheduled to arrive from France aboard the U.S. Army Transport “Lawrence Victory.”

Arriving from the Pacific area aboard the “Dalton Victory” are the bodies of STM1 Preston V. McMillan, whose next of kin is Will A. McMillan, Star Rt. C, Atmore, and Pvt. Fred L. Stuckey Jr., son of Fred L. Stuckey Sr., Rt. 1, Evergreen. Both lost their lives during the struggle for the Philippines.

FRISCO CITY WILL PLAY JAY DOUBLEHEADER TODAY: Frisco City will meet Jay, Fla. this afternoon (Thursday) on the Frisco City diamond in a doubleheader baseball game which will conclude the playoff series between the two teams of the Tri-County Baseball League.

The Frisco City team defeated Jay, 11-2, on the Florida team’s diamond Sunday. T.I. Springer was the winning pitcher.

Clerk Is Appointed For Draft Board: Miss Jewell Coxwell of Monroeville has been appointed clerk of Monroe County Local Draft Board No. 50, it was announced this week by State Selective Service Headquarters. She is attending a three-day school for draft board clerks in Montgomery this week to learn registration procedures.

97 YEARS AGO

AUG. 30, 1923

MONROE COUNTY HIGH OPENS SEPT. 4: The annual session of the Monroe County High School will open on Tues., Sept. 4, at 10 a.m. An interesting program of exercises is being arranged for the occasion, the principal feature being an address by Hon. John McDuffie. All patrons and friends of the school and the public generally are cordially invited to be present.

MONROE HIGH PLANNING BIG FOOTBALL SEASON: With the opening of the High School only a week off, football fans are already beginning to sum up the prospects for the 1923 season. The authorities of the High School have arranged the most ambitious schedule ever attempted by a school in this part of the state. Atmore, Bay Minette, Grove Hill, Andalusia, Greenville and the Sidney Lanier High School of Montgomery have already signed contracts with Monroe High. The remainder of the schedule will probably be composed of Brewton, Selma and Jones Mill. Arrangements are being completed to bring the Sidney Lanier state champions here on Oct. 20 during the Monroe County Fair.

Monroeville’s first bale of the new crop of cotton was delivered in bulk at the local ginnery last week, but owing to the installation of new machinery the plant has not yet been able to convert it into marketable shape.

NOTICE TO ALL AUTOMOBILE DRIVERS: The town of Monroeville has on its Code of Ordinances a speed limit of 15 miles per hour. A car making 15 miles an hour is traveling at a very slow speed. So I hope all drivers of automobile will consider the danger of operating cars at a greater rate of speed on the narrow and crooked streets of Monroeville. I will prosecute all offenders to the fullest extent of the law after (July 3, 1923). – J.L. Bowden, Sheriff.

135 YEARS AGO

AUG. 28, 1885

We want 500 new subscribers to The Monroe Journal by Sept. 1^st in this county.

Prof. Eugene A. Smith, state geologist, was in Monroeville Wednesday and is at present in the county, examining our many marl heads, etc. He is an energetic worker and a competent officer.

Monroe Chapter No. 3 – Perdue Hill will have a regular convocation on the first Thursday in September, 1885. All members are expected to be present.

Perdue Hill – Cadet Pelham Agee of the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis is visiting Jacksonville, the guest of Gen. Wm. H. Forney. – Jacksonville Republican.

Beef! Mr. W.B. Jones will have fine beef for sale on the 8^th and 10^th of September for the benefit of the Sunday School Convention.

Mr. and Mrs. H.H. Hybart of Bell’s Landing were visiting their many friends in Monroeville last week.

Mr. W.B. Jones has again opened his beef market at this place where he will be pleased to furnish his customers with choice beef at lowest market price. Market will be open every Saturday morning at 6:30, Northeast Corner Public Square.

Thanks to Mr. John White for a nice, large watermelon, received at (The Monroe Journal) office some time ago. We always appreciate such kind remembrances.

Singleton tells of nighttime excursion to Red Hills near Franklin, Alabama

(For decades, local historian and paranormal investigator George “Buster” Singleton published a weekly newspaper column called “Somewhere in Time.” The column below, which was titled “Evening spent listening to the sounds of the night” was originally published in the Aug. 12, 1993 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

Very few of us take the time to stop and listen to the sounds around us. Just this past Thursday night, I did exactly that. My wife had to be away in Montgomery for a couple of days for a training seminar so I decided that this was the opportune time to venture forth on one of my nighttime excursions and listen to the sounds of the night.

There are not many places within this county that I haven’t been from time to time, listening, looking and trying to find something that has been overlooked by the local folks who travel the back roads of the area.

So, after 7 p.m., after receiving a telephone call from my better half, I headed north to the Red Hills area for a few hours of listening and speculating.

Due to the weather I had to leave my motorcycle behind. The clouds and the rain warned me that it would be a cold, wet night if I chose to travel by motor bike. So, after packing a snack and something cold to drink, I headed up Highway 41 and on to the community of Franklin.

No traffic

As you might have guessed, I was not bothered with heavy traffic after I turned eastward on the gravel road beyond the store at Franklin. The shadows of the late evening had begun to dance across the open spaces as though playing hide and seek with the thunder clouds from the earlier rain storm.

In the distance, the rumble of thunder could be heard as an occasional flicker of lightning brightened up the distant horizon. The lightning gave the impression of dancing lights on some distant stage, preparing the audience for the coming performance.

Slowly, I made my way up into the area that used to be the Red Hills community. Off to my right on a high ridge, I remembered spending most of a night there a couple of years ago watching for a mystery light that I had been told had been seen there.

I remembered the excitement I experienced when finally the dull glowing ball of light slowly rose from one of the ravines and seemed to roll its way slowly across the hillside.

As I passed the Red Hills Cemetery, I thought of the past lives of those that slept here; the joys and hardships of this early country community. I thought of the many times that my friend, Oscar Wiggins, and I journeyed this way. I thought of the many stories that had been related to me about his family who had settled in this area long before the Civil War.

Tomb of ancestor

And, there in the pale light, I could almost see the tomb of his ancestor, who had fought in that terrible war, only to return and spend the rest of his life here among these red hills he loved so much.

Parking my vehicle atop the high hill about a half mile beyond the cemetery, I positioned it so I could view the distant valley to the east. I settled down for a period of listening and looking for sights and sounds. I knew not what I would see or hear.

Lowering the windows of my vehicle, the steady sounds of a light rain played a lullaby on the trees around me. And, in the eastern skies, the rumble of the distant thunder and the red glow of the lightning broke the quietness of the early darkness.

In the distance, I could see a faint glow of light in the valley below me. Due to the early rains of the late afternoon, I knew that I was seeing the much-talked-about ancient foxfire, often referred to by early country folks. Many stories about this mystery light had been told around the fireplaces during the cold winter nights by the early settlers.

As I watched the dim lights in the large valley below me, I remembered, too, the many stories told to me as a child, by a tall, dark-haired woman, my grandmother, about this mystery light. I remembered being afraid to go to my bedroom, after some of these stories she told me.

As I sat and watched the display before me, a coyote howled, off to my left. Down the hill aways, came the answering call of its mate. Within seconds, the whole night around me seemed to come alive with the calls of these wild coyotes.

I have heard these calls many times, but I don’t mind confessing that weird sound from the darkness caused the hair on the back of my neck to bristle and stand up. To add to the commotion, a screech owl in a tree across the road from me, screamed out into the night. This didn’t help matters any.

I quickly reached over and raised the off-side door glass of my vehicle. Quietness settled across the hill after the hair-raising call of the screech owl. It seemed as though the wild coyotes understood the chilling call, as if they had been warned to be quiet. But, the hilltop wasn’t quiet for long. Over to my left, a couple of hoot owls began to scold each other.

Coyote disagreement

It seemed as if a terrible argument or disagreement had come between them. Back and forth they scolded. Finally, one gave up the argument and flew off into the darkness.

Looking at my watch, I realized the hour of midnight was just minutes away. A lone coyote, down the hill aways, had begun to howl, as the winds of the night rattled the leaves on the trees around me. The screech owl screamed out again, as though to tell the coyote to shut up.

This time, it had no effect. From across the hill, it seemed that the night air came alive with the howls of the wild coyotes. The entire hillside seemed covered with activity. Perhaps the time had come for the coyote pack to gather and bed down for the night. I wondered if this was the same pack that occupied the old cave in the hill back aways to the northwest.

Starting the engine of my vehicle, I turned on to the narrow road that would carry me back to Highway 41 and to my awaiting bed within the safety and security of home.

As I made my way along the narrow road, I realized once again how small man’s place is in this vast universe we’ve come to call ours. We think we are in control, but we are badly fooled.

(Singleton, the author of the 1991 book “Of Foxfire and Phantom Soldiers,” passed away at the age of 79 on July 19, 2007. A longtime resident of Monroeville, he was born to Vincent William Singleton and Frances Cornelia Faile Singleton, during a late-night thunderstorm, on Dec. 14, 1927 in Marengo County, graduated from Sweet Water High School in 1946, served as a U.S. Marine paratrooper in the Korean War, worked as a riverboat deckhand, lived for a time among Apache Indians, moved to Monroe County on June 28, 1964 and served as the administrator of the Monroeville National Guard unit from June 28, 1964 to Dec. 14, 1987. He was promoted from the enlisted ranks to warrant officer in May 1972. For years, Singleton’s columns, titled “Monroe County history – Did you know?” and “Somewhere in Time” appeared in The Monroe Journal, and he wrote a lengthy series of articles about Monroe County that appeared in Alabama Life magazine. It’s believed that his first column appeared in the March 25, 1971 edition of The Monroe Journal. He is buried in Pineville Cemetery in Monroeville. The column above and all of Singleton’s other columns are available to the public through the microfilm records at the Monroe County Public Library in Monroeville. Singleton’s columns are presented here each week for research and scholarship purposes and as part of an effort to keep his work and memory alive.)

What is the true story behind Monroe County's Jenny Bell Hill?

Intersection of Rocky Hill Road and Tom Hayles Road.

Jenny Bell Hill is one of the most unique places in all of Monroe County.

With an elevation of 358 feet above sea level, this highpoint in southwest Monroe County is said to be so high that on clear nights a person standing at Jenny Bell Hill can see the street lights from Jackson, which lies far to the northwest over in Clarke County, way on the other side of the Alabama River. Opinions differ somewhat among locals as to exactly where Jenny Bell Hill is located, but most maps agree that it is located on Rocky Hill Road, near the intersection of Tom Hayles Road, a few miles north of Uriah.

I found myself passing through this area the other day and was reminded that I was driving through one of the highest points in Monroe County. Those of you who have been through this quiet community before will know that there are just a few houses scattered along this red dirt road, which is largely surrounded by farm fields and stands of dark pines. The other day, a few farmers in large green tractors were taking advantage of the hot, dry weather to spray the vast acres of cotton planted on both sides of the road.

As I passed down Rocky Hill Road, I was caused to wonder how this highpoint compares with other well-known highpoints in Monroe County. Later, I consulted my trusty National Geographic map of Monroe County, and the results were interesting. According to those maps, Lookout Hill near Vredenburgh is the highest point in the county with an elevation of 436 feet, about 80 feet higher than Jenny Bell Hill.

A number of streams and branches also flow through this area, and they eventually feed into major creeks like Lovetts Creek and Baileys Creek. Because of these abundant freshwater sources, these high hills were no doubt once heavily populated by ancient Indians long before settlers arrived in this part of the world. I would not be surprised to learn that remnants of old village and burial sites could be found near Jenny Bell Hill if one knows where to look.

Another thing that makes this location unique is its unusual name. Like many people, I’d always presumed that the hill was named after a woman named Jenny Bell. However, a number of local residents have told me that Jenny Bell was actually a man, whose death remains somewhat shrouded in mystery all these years later.

Versions of the story vary but most agree that Jenny Bell was killed after he won the pot in a gambling match after working with a logging team in this area. Some say that he was found dead on the hill that now bears his name, and people later began to call the hill “Jenny Bell Hill” because folks associated the place with the discovery of his body. Most agree that all of this happened many years ago, most likely sometime in the early 1920s.

Despite my best efforts, I was unable to dig up any more details about the real Jenny Bell. A review of Monroe County cemetery records revealed no known burial site for this man, although I did find dozens of graves for individuals with the last name “Bell.” Only a few of those individuals passed away in the 1920s.

The closest possible match that I found for Jenny Bell was the grave of William J. Bell, who is buried in the Poplar Springs Cemetery, which is actually just a few miles from Jenny Bell Hill. However, William J. Bell passed away in 1941, many years after the events said to have taken place in the 1920s. It’s unclear what this man’s middle name was exactly, but some records indicate that his middle name might have been Jehu, not Jenny.

In the end, let me hear from you if you know anything more about the history of Jenny Bell Hill or the man it’s named after. I’d also be interested to hear from anyone in the reading audience with any information about old Indian sites in and around Jenny Bell Hill. Also, let me hear from you if you know any good ghost stories, tall tales or local legends from this unique part of Monroe County. It would be a shame to let this information fade into the forgotten past like so much of our lost local history.

Mysteries abound near Conecuh County's old Volina community

I got the itch to get out and do some riding around the other day, and a short time later I eventually found myself in downtown Castleberry. With no particular destination in mind, I struck off east out of Castleberry down County Road 6, and a few minutes later I pulled over at the L Pond Church of Christ. Those of you who have been there before will know that this neat little brick church sits at the intersection of County Road 6 and County Road 27.

I climbed out of my truck and made my way into the cemetery behind the church. Just eyeballing it, I’d say this cemetery contains less than 25 graves. The oldest marked grave that I saw within the chainlink confines of this cemetery belonged to Minnie Mae Lucas, who passed away at the age of 50 on Feb. 13, 1955.

Back in my truck, I turned down County Road 27 and drove south towards the Escambia County line. Even though I couldn’t see it, I knew that Shipps Pond sat out in the woods on the east side of the road. A thick stand of dark woods prevents passersby from being able to see this sizeable, 43-acre pond from County Road 27, but it can clearly be seen on maps of this area.

I could not help but think about all the old stories that surround this well-known body of water. It’s often been said that during the Civil War, plantation owner Henchie Warren supposedly sank a chest of gold and other valuables to the bottom of Shipps Pond to hide it from marauding Union soldiers. It’s said that many treasure hunters over the years have unsuccessfully tried to find this hidden chest, and a number of people believe that Warren’s chest of gold remains there today, waiting to be discovered beneath layers of thick, black mud.

A little farther down the road, just past Shipps Pond, I came to a curve in the road and was reminded that I was passing through the old Volina community. Today, you’ll find a few homes in this area, but at one time many more people lived at Volina. In fact, Volina even had its own post office from 1886 to 1911. The Volina community is largely forgotten today, but it’s location can clearly be seen on many historical maps of this area.

I continued down County Road 27, which took me past L Pond and Weaver Pond. As I drove by these bodies of water, I again could not help but remember the stories I’d heard about them over the years. Some readers will remember that game cameras in October 2011 captured an unexplained “ghost image” of a man walking through the woods in this area. Individuals living near L Pond said the person in the photo looked like Pott Weaver, who once lived in the area but passed away in 1984 - 27 years before the picture was taken. This ghostly image was so mysterious that The Mobile Press-Register published a full-length feature story about the unusual photo in its Oct. 31, 2011 edition.

I eventually returned to County Road 6 and headed back towards Evergreen. As the miles unfolded beneath my wheels, I thought about all that I’d seen in my brief field trip to the old Volina community. Many questions came to mind.

Are there any other old ghost stories, tall tales or local legends associated with this part of the county? Are there any old Indian village sites or burial mounds in this area? How did the Volina community get its name?

In the end, please let me hear from you if you know anything more about the history of this part of Conecuh County and especially the old Volina community. It would be a shame to let this information fall through the cracks like so much of our local history. Let’s make a special effort to document it now while we still have a good chance to do so.

Pine Apple school bears name of prominent 19th century literary figure

John Trotwood Moore

Today – Aug. 26 – marks the 162^nd anniversary of the birth of one of the most remarkable men to ever call Wilcox County home - a man whose namesake is still attached to one of the foremost educational institutions in county history.

John Trotwood Moore Jr. was born on Aug. 26, 1858 in Marion, the county seat of Perry County, to John and Emily Moore. Moore eventually went on to graduate from what is now Samford University in Birmingham and then he got a job working at his hometown newspaper, The Marion Commonwealth. In his early twenties, he began teaching school in Butler County, a job that would eventually lead him to found Moore Academy at Pine Apple.

Moore Academy is located on the west side of State Highway 10 in Pine Apple, and if you visit this location today you’ll find a historical marker that was erected by the Moore Academy Alumni Association in 1996. That marker reads as follows: “MOORE ACADEMY – ‘A Great Adventure of the Mind’ – Founded in 1882 by John Trotwood Moore, who became a famous author, archeologist and poet laureate of the State of Tennessee, the original two-story wood frame building served the Pine Apple area from 1882 until the present brick structure was completed in 1923. The style is eclectic and typical of early 20th century educational facilities with a T-shaped plan, central arched entrance, bracketed eaves and decorative brickwork at each end of the façade. Moore Academy was widely acclaimed as one of the preeminent educational facilities in Alabama until its closing in 1989. The buildings and grounds were donated to the Moore Academy Alumni Association, Inc. in 1994, and restoration began in 1995. This marker is dedicated to those students, teachers and administrators who have passed through these doors, and in the words of John Trotwood Moore, ‘To him that will, faith finds a pathway home.’ Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage – June 30, 1995.”

During his time at Moore Academy, Moore married Florence W. Allen, and in 1885 they moved to Tennessee, where Moore launched into a full-blown literary career. Moore went on to write for a wide variety of publications, including Clark’s Horse Review, Trotwood’s Monthly, the Taylor-Trotwood Magazine and The Saturday Evening Post. He also published a number of books, including “Songs and Stories from Tennessee,” “A Summer Hymnal: A Romance of Tennessee,” “The Bishop of Cottontown: A Story of  the Southern Cotton Mills,” “Ole Mistis, and Other Songs and Stories from Tennessee,” “The Old Cotton Gin,” “Uncle Wash: His Stories,” “The Gift of the Grass: Being the Autobiography of a Famous Racing Horse,” “Jack Ballington, Forester,” “Hearts of Hickory: A Story of Andrew Jackson and the War of 1812” and “Tom's Last Forage.”

Moore was such a prominent literary figure in Tennessee that Tennessee’s governor appointed Moore to the position of State Librarian and Archivist in March 1919. Moore served in this position up until his death in May 1929. Today you can visit Moore’s grave in the Mount Olivet Cemetery in Nashville - many, many miles from the Wilcox County school that still bears his name.

The Evergreen Courant's News Flashback for Aug. 25, 2020

20 YEARS AGO

AUG. 24, 2000

Evergreen weather observer Harry Ellis reported 0.11 inches on Aug. 20. He also reported highs of 103 degrees on Aug. 17 and Aug. 18 and a low of 62 degrees on Aug. 14.

New chamber director named Wednesday: The Conecuh County Economic Development Authority named a new managing director of the Conecuh-Evergreen Chamber of Commerce and CCEDA last Wednesday afternoon.

The authority picked Eric Basinger to take over the position from interim director John Raines.

Basinger received his Master’s degree in Public Administration from Auburn University and received his bachelor’s degree in History at the University of West Alabama.

Basinger is a long-time resident of Fultondale, which is approximately 173 miles from Evergreen.

Dr. Stanley Barnes was among the many who attended a special open house in honor of Dr. Maria R. Cumagun (Dr. Cherry) at Roberts Clinic last Thursday. Dr. Cherry recently joined the staff of Roberts Clinic in Evergreen.

A memorial service was held for the late Sgt. Harvey Salter on Sun., Aug. 20. Friends and family joined together in memory of Sgt. Salter for what would have been his 56^th birthday and his 11^th year with the Evergreen Police Department. Pictured are Officer Levi Kelley Sr., Sgt. Wayne Stewart, Cpl. Derek Gessner and Johnnie Ackron.

45 YEARS AGO

AUG. 28, 1975

Local weather reporter Earl Windham reported 0.1 inches of rain on Aug. 22 and 1.5 inches on Aug. 23. He reported a high of 95 on Aug. 24 and a low of 71 on Aug. 22.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Holcombe killed this big rattlesnake on the Brownville Road after running over him with a motorcycle. The snake was 55 inches long and had nine rattles and a button.

Rev. A.C. Joseph, Rt. C, found this unusual egg. It measured four inches in diameter and had another egg inside it.

Michael Brown and James C. Johnson of Johnson Roofing Construction Co. killed this monster rattlesnake on the Skinnerton-Lone Star Road. The snake was five feet, eight inches long and had 13 rattles and a button.

Cecil Andrews killed this big rattlesnake off the Brooklyn Road. The snake was 4-1/2 to five feet long and had nine rattles.

Red Level Lodge burns mortgage: The Fairmont Lodge No. 238, F.&A.M., and Chapter 450 Order of the Eastern Star of Red Level will have a mortgage burning Saturday night at seven o’clock. The public is invited and supper will be served.

Jones Mortuary, Inc., Conecuh County’s newest funeral home, will hold open house this Sunday afternoon from two until four o’clock. Jones Mortuary is located on Highway 31 South, at the Highway 84 intersection at Fairview. Robert Jones, widely known funeral home operator of Monroeville, is president of the new funeral home here.

70 YEARS AGO

AUG. 24, 1950

Susan Bozeman celebrated her tenth birthday Tuesday afternoon with a picture show party and to her home afterwards for refreshments.

Aubrey E. Burt, age 73, well known and highly respected citizen of this city, died at a Greenville hospital Aug. 16 after a brief illness. He suffered a fractured hip from a fall just one week prior to his death. The cause of his death was said to have been pneumonia.

Mr. Burt was born and reared at Belleville. He lived here and elsewhere in this county until about 15 years ago when he moved to Atmore where he resided until about one year ago when he moved back here.

Interment was in Magnolia Cemetery.

Evergreen Garment Co. To Hold Open House Friday: The people of Conecuh County are invited to inspect the new building of the Evergreen Garment Co. at a formal opening tomorrow, Friday, Aug. 25. The company has been in operation for several weeks, but the open house will mark the formal opening of the building.

Officials of the company invite the people of the county to come in and look over the building between the hours of 1 and 5 p.m.

THOMAS-KING: Mrs. J.M. King, a former resident of this county now residing in Phoenix, Arizona, announces the marriage of her youngest daughter, Carolyn Louise to Mr. Donald Wayne Thomas, also of Phoenix. The wedding occurred Aug. 12 at Las Vegas, Arizona.

83 YEARS AGO

AUG. 26, 1937

City Authorities Will Open New Street Soon: City officials announce that right-of-way has been secured for the opening of a new street connecting West Front and McMillan running along the L&N Railroad leading north. Work will start on this project in a few days. In order to open the street it will be necessary to move several small houses generally known to local citizens as the ‘Amos quarters’ and of course to grade and level up the ground.

Opening this street will eliminated the dead end on West Front Street caused by the building of the overhead bridge and at the same time give an outlet to McMillan Street leading toward town without crossing the railroad at a very dangerous crossing.

Postmaster Robert L. Stallworth states that Evergreen post office will shortly inaugurate the delivery of all parcel post addressed to patrons of this office living within the incorporated limits of the city, or in some cases slightly out of the limits or to the extent that patrons are now being served by city carriers with other classes of mail.

Burnt Corn Citizen Dies Saturday Night: Following a long illness of a year or more, Herbert Ellis, age 58, well known and beloved citizen of Burnt Corn died at his home Saturday night at nine o’clock.

A telegram from Senator Dixie Bibb Graves addressed to Mayor J.R. Brooks which was received on Tuesday of this week announced that federal authorities had approved the allocation of $11,928 to the City Evergreen for a street surfacing project to be set up under the Works Progress Administration on terms similar to those by which other paving projects have been done during the past two years.

The Evergreen Courant's Sports Flashback for Aug. 24, 2020

Wendell Hart

20 YEARS AGO

AUG. 24, 2000

Riding Lawn Mower Race (Derby) – A Riding Lawn Mower Race (Derby) will be held Mon., Sept. 4, 2000 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Boykins Ball Park, Highway 29 East. Registration on site or pre-register by mailing application and $25 to Helping Hands Outreach Ministry, Castleberry, Ala.

45 YEARS AGO

AUG. 28, 1975

Blue Devils open at home: The Conecuh County Blue Devils open their football season this Friday night at home against the Blacksher Bulldogs of Uriah.

Coach Brown says his squad has been hampered with injuries and with boys quitting during the hot August heat, but he expects a lot of football playing from returning lettermen such as Michael Sims, Phillip Etheridge, Ricky Reeves, Dennis Darby, Ricky Godwin, Paul Ellis, Donnie Laster, Stan Pate and Bill Baker along with some more newcomers who show some promise.

Kickoff will be 7:30 Friday night so let’s give these Blue Devils some support.

The Sparta Academy Varsity Cheerleaders for 1975-76 are Martha Burt and Cathy Cotton; Nancy Price, Leanne Tanner, Captain, and Tammy Barlow; Sharron Johnson, Carolyn Ward and Lisa Poole. They will be trying to cheer the Warriors to victory when they open the 1975 season here Saturday night against Greenville Academy with kickoff set at eight o’clock at Stuart-McGehee Field.

Sparta QB Club meets tonight: Something unusual is in store for those who are attending the meeting tonight of the Sparta Quarterback Club at Sparta Academy at 7:30. The unusual thing is that the guest speaker will be head coach Jim Autrey of Greenville Academy whose team will meet the Warriors here Saturday night in the opening game of the season for both clubs.

All members, prospective members and friends are urged to attend. Some important business will be discussed.

Sparta Academy cheerleaders win honors at clinic: The Sparta Academy cheerleaders recently attended a clinic where they won several honors. The clinic, which was held at the beautiful Huntingdon College campus in Montgomery, was led by the Universal Cheerleaders Association. UCA conducts clinics throughout the Midwestern and Southern United States for college, high school and junior high school cheerleaders. The UCA program stresses the building of a complete school spirit program for each of the participating squads.

Beginning classes at 8:30 a.m., the eight girls were taught new cheers, modern pompom routines, cheerleading gymnastics and chants. In workshop, they developed their skills to maximum potential in the areas of jumps, double-stunts, mini-tramp and pyramid buildings.

During their five-day stay, the Sparta cheerleaders were awarded three ribbons for cheer evaluations and another ribbon in pompom evaluation. Many fond memories were made and brought home by these girls, but most importantly, they are looking forward to boosting the Warriors to victory as the 1975 season opens here, Aug. 30, with Greenville Academy.

70 YEARS AGO

AUG. 24, 1950

Aggie Football Squad Working Out Daily: Coach Wendell Hart put 30 boys through a light workout Tuesday in the initial practice session for the 1950 season. Practice until the first of September will be confined to calisthenics, passing, kicking and running without pads. Full uniforms cannot be donned until September the first, according to new state high school rules.

This year’s squad will probably be the biggest ever to be fielded by Evergreen High and prospects for a very good season are bright. The backfield, which lost three topnotch performers, is bolstered by the return of Billy Mudge Lee. Ed Hooks and “Red” Morgan, regulars from last year, make the backfield look strong along with Pete Wells, Donahue Edson and Gwyn Daniels.

John Henry Brantley, Shirley Frazier, Billy Lewis and Ward Alexander are up from the Junior Team and will give added strength to the backfield corps. Pace Bozeman, up from the “B” team, will also be trying for a berth in the backfield.

Up front, the Aggies look rugged and powerful with four big regulars from last year back plus some large and scrappy reserves and one newcomer. Max Pope, Shelton Craig, Douglas Potts and Jeff Moorer are all back from last year’s varsity along with Sam Cope, Allen Edson, Cecil Culbreth, Clayton and Clinton Cobb, Cleveland Robinson, Billy Watson and Franklin Williamson.

76 YEARS AGO

AUG. 24, 1944

This happened several weeks ago, but no true story like it should ever be allowed to pass unnoticed. Veteran fisherman Emmett Calhoun, Birmingham Post employee who used to cast a dubious eye at some of the yarns sent the outdoor column he once conducted, will never again question an angler’s tale.

Fishing the Warrior River, Calhoun cast his plug into a group of bass that was breaking water in all directions. Something struck like a streamlined train going through a whistle stop!

“You have two, no three!” exclaimed fishing partner D.D. Webb as Calhoun began reeling in.

Yessir, Calhoun had hit the jackpot of all fishing experiences – three smallmouth bass on as many hooks. They totaled a little over three pounds. The green dodder frog plug, which had such an irresistible appeal, is now used only for exhibition purposes.

And what did fisherman Calhoun think of it? He says “I felt just like Bing Crosby when his horse finally won a race. I hope my friend, game warden Ted Cottrell, doesn’t hear about this; he might pinch me for unethical fishing.”

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

20 YEARS AGO

AUG. 24, 2000

Top score: Alex House, a tenth-grader at Monroe Senior High School at Packer’s Bend, received the top stanine score on the Stanford Achievement Test during the 1999-2000 school term.

His total battery score was 96.9 out of 99.9 percentile/stanine. The test measures academic skills in total reading, mathematics, language, science and social science.

House was also Monroe County’s Spelling Bee Champion and was named a 21^st Century Scholar by the Alabama School of Mathematics and Science.

Monroe Academy season to begin Friday at home: High school football in Monroe County kicks off tomorrow (Friday) at 7:30 p.m. when Monroe Academy takes on Sparta Academy at MA.

MA head coach Gary Caldwell will dress 47 players in grades 9-12 in tomorrow’s season opener.

(Top returning players for MA that season included Bill Bolton and Travis Turberville.)

Kelly wins awards: Riley N. Kelly of Excel received three writing awards from the Alabama Writers’ Conclave Writing Competition Aug. 3-5 at the University of Montevallo.

Kelly received first place for “Alabama Hero Linked to Alabama Murder” in the Southern Magazine or Newspaper category. He got second place for “Alabama’s Land Grant Nobility” for an essay on any subject and received honorable mention for “Popular Historian Penned Poetic Prose” in the Alabama Literary Personality category.

45 YEARS AGO

AUG. 28, 1975

Senator to speak at luncheon today: U.S. Sen. Jim Allen (D-Ala.) will make a talk and answer questions during a public luncheon at noon today (Thursday) at Vanity Fair community house in Monroeville.

Allen, winding up one of the tours he regularly makes throughout Alabama during congressional recesses, is expected to touch on federal deficit spending, among other subjects, in his remarks.

A recent poll showed Allen to be the most popular public official in Alabama.

Lucian Jones Golf Tournament is won by Hollingsworth, Beck: Monroe County High School principal Sam Hollingsworth teamed up with Coach Marvin Beck of the University of West Florida in Pensacola to win the 11^th Annual Lucian Jones Guest Golf Tournament, held Friday and Saturday on Monroeville’s Vanity Fair golf course.

The two shot a two-day total of 18 under par to edge out the second-place team of Les Prouty and his guest, Terry Dumas of Mobile, who were 17 under par. The Prouty-Dumas team won the tournament in 1966 and was in the lead until the winners played through their final 18 holes.

Fixing the ferry: Just a few feet from where it eventually will cross the Alabama River at Davis Ferry, a steel ferry barge is painted by Monroe County employees Samuel Clark and Joe Kidd. The county borrowed the ferry from Wilcox County and must finish painting it, install a paddlewheel and repair its ramps to make is usable. That will take several weeks, but a longer delay may come in obtaining a cable to cross the river between two existing towers. The cable used by an earlier ferry was cut, and either the state or the county will buy a replacement.

70 YEARS AGO

AUG. 24, 1950

In a move to alleviate the traffic congestion on Mt. Pleasant Street on the West side of the square, the town council voted Tuesday night to require automobiles to be parked parallel with the curb on the side of the street adjacent to the square.

It was pointed out during the discussion that the street has become a source of congestion especially at times when transfer trucks are parked in the street unloading wares into business houses.

It was felt that by requiring automobiles to be parked parallel with the curb on the side of the street adjacent to the square, this would allow more room for traffic to move around trucks that are parked in the street.

Frank Kyilian, University of Alabama graduate, has been named head coach of J.U. Blacksher High School at Uriah, county Superintendent of Education H.G. Greer announced this week.

Mr. Kyilian will replaced John Alexander Roney, who was originally named to the position, but was forced to resign when called to active service with the armed forces.

Mr. Kyilian will succeed John Sawyer, who was elevated to principal of the school when W.M. Johnson resigned to become principal of the Columbia High School.

Contract to erect a new school building at Uriah was awarded at a special meeting of the Monroe County Board of Education Tuesday night, and bids for the construction of a regional coliseum here, opened Tuesday afternoon, are being taken under consideration this week.

Contract for the new Uriah school building calls for the structure to be erected at a cost of $192,532. Bids on the coliseum, which will serve residents of seven counties, ran somewhat above the expected cost of $85,000.

95 YEARS AGO

AUG. 27, 1925

FATAL ACCIDENT AT MILL: Mr. Samuel Faulkenberry, aged 19, met with a fatal accident at the Ivey saw mill a few miles north of Monroeville on Wednesday afternoon of last week. While standing on the moving carriage someone on the opposite side asked him for a match. In reaching across, some part of his clothing was caught by the swiftly revolving saw and his body was literally severed in twain and otherwise mangled. Death was almost instantaneous.

Rev. M.E. Lazenby, editor of the Alabama Christian Advocate, with his family recently enjoyed an automobile tour through 10 states and several of the larger cities. His young son, Candler, skillfully drove the car through the congested traffic of Broadway and Fifth Avenue without mishap.

OPEN AIR CONCERT: The Monroeville Orchestra, chaperoned by Prof. J.A. York, left Monday for a two-week outing on the Gulf Coast where they will have opportunity for daily practice while enjoying the cool breezes and disporting in the surf. On the eve of departure, the Orchestra gave an open air concert on the Court Square which was greatly enjoyed by the large crowd assembled. The orchestra is composed of 24 boys and girls ranging from nine to 18, and bearing in mind the fact that the orchestra was organized only some seven or eight months ago, the talent and proficiency exhibited is highly creditable.

Mr. and Mrs. L.G. Pearson and Mr. John Riley and Miss Ruth Beard were among the Monroeville people who enjoyed the barbecue and ball game at Beatrice Friday.

120 YEARS AGO

AUG. 23, 1900

Miss Fannie Patrick is in St. Louis selecting her fall stock of millinery.

JOHNSON – Died at his home near River Ridge, on Sunday, Aug. 19, Mr. J.G. Johnson at an advanced age.

Mr. Johnson was one of Monroe’s oldest and very best citizens and possessed the confidence and esteem of all. He was a Mason of long standing, true to himself, true to the order and for a number of years before his death a consistent member of the Presbyterian church. He will be missed sadly in the community where he lived for so many years.

MASONIC CONFERENCE: The Monroe County Masonic Conference is appointed to meet with Enon Lodge at Hollinger on Thurs., Sept. 6, eight o’clock p.m. All lodges in the county are earnestly desired to be represented. A good time is assured. Visiting brethren will receive a fraternal welcome. – S.H. Dailey, President; Q. Salter, Secretary.

STALLWORTH – On the morning of Aug. 14, 1900, Mrs. Ophelia Stallworth, in the 87^th year of her age, passed quietly from earth’s scenes to her eternal rest.

Mr. W.G. McCorvey received a dispatch Monday announcing the death of his brother-in-law, Dr. W.J. Grissett, at Garland. Mr. McCorvey left immediately to attend the funeral.

Capt. F.M. Jones made a business trip to Mount Pleasant this week.

2020 football season begins tonight for Conecuh County high school teams

Hillcrest High School, ranked No. 3 in Class 3A, will kick off its 2020 varsity football season today when they travel to Tiger Stadium in Greenville to take on the Greenville High School Tigers.

This season will be the 32^nd season of football for Hillcrest, which fielded its first team in 1989. Hillcrest enters the season with an all-time record of 156-181, an all-time winning percentage of 46 percent. Hillcrest has an 85-83 all-time record at Brooks Memorial Stadium in Evergreen, and they are 70-98 all-time in games on the road.

Hillcrest also enters this season on a seven-year playoff streak, that is, they haven’t missed a trip to the playoffs since the 2012 season. During that time, the Jags have gone 13-6 in playoffs games, which is excellent compared to most other programs in the state. Of course, Hillcrest fans will remember that the Jags went 5-0 in the playoffs in 2017, the year that Hillcrest won the Class 3A state title.

This season will also mark the sixth season for Clinton Smith as head coach at Hillcrest. He enters the season with a 42-24 overall record, and his 42 overall wins at Hillcrest makes him the winningest football coach ever at Hillcrest. He is also 12-4 overall in playoffs games at Hillcrest, a record that puts him among the elite coaches in the state when it comes to playoff winning percentage.

Hillcrest has a good chance of running the table during the 2020 regular season, but that’s not to say that there won’t be some challenges along the way. Teams like Greenville, Bayside Academy, T.R. Miller, Flomaton and others have a lot of pride, and they aren’t just going to lay down for anybody. With that said, Hillcrest football fans have a lot to look forward to this season.

Sparta Academy will kick off its 2020 season next Friday, Aug. 28, when they will play Monroe Academy at Stuart-McGehee Field in Evergreen. This season will be the 50^th season of football for Sparta, which fielded its first team in 1971. Sparta enters the season with an all-time record of 231-288-4, an all-time winning percentage of 44 percent.

The Aug. 28 game against Monroe Academy will be remarkable because it will be the first game between Sparta and Monroe since the 2007 season. It will also mark the first time that Monroe has visited Evergreen since the 2006 season. That 2006 game was also the last time that Sparta beat Monroe in football, a 25-6 decision that was one of Sparta’s biggest wins ever over the Vols.

This season will also mark the second season for Arlton Hudson as head coach at Sparta. Hudson, a former Hillcrest coach who won 37 games while leading the Jags between 1999 and 2005, will be looking to snap a four-year playoff drought for the Warriors, who made their last trip to the playoffs in 2015.

In the end, I’m wishing both of our local teams good luck as they get their seasons started. The 2020 season is going to be very different because of the Coronavirus, and I hope that both teams get to finish out their seasons uninterrupted. If nothing unforeseen occurs, I look for both local teams to make the playoffs and make strong runs for state titles in their respective classifications.

Pine Apple's Cliff Harper was inducted into many halls of fame

Cliff Harper of Pine Apple, Alabama.

This coming Tuesday – Aug. 25 – will mark the 107^th anniversary of the birth of one of the most remarkable men that Wilcox County has ever produced - Jacob Clifford “Cliff” Harper, who was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1980.

Harper was born at Pine Apple on Aug. 25, 1913, and he would go on to star as an outstanding all-around athlete at Moore Academy at Pine Apple. From there, he went on to attend college at Birmingham-Southern, where he was a standout three-sport athlete on the college’s football, baseball and basketball teams. Harper was such an outstanding athlete at Birmingham-Southern that in 1985 – more than half a century after his playing days – Harper was one of five men inducted into Birmingham-Southern’s Sports Hall of Fame.

After college, Harper launched into a successful high school coaching career that began at Sardis High School in Etowah County. Harper served two years as the school’s head football coach, beginning in 1934, which was the first season that Sardis fielded a football team. Harper also served as the school’s head basketball coach and led his team to a district title and Class A state championship during the 1935-1936 season.

After a 10-year high school coaching career, which also included stops at Evergreen, Georgiana and Spring Garden, Harper moved on to bigger and better things. On July 1, 1948, he became the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s first ever full-time executive director. The year 1948 was the same year that the AHSAA established a state office in Montgomery, and Harper went on to turn the AHSAA into one of the top high school association’s in the nation.

Harper served as the AHSAA’s executive director for 18 years and became a nationally recognized expert in the rules for football and basketball. Harper went on to publish illustrated rule books for football and basketball, and those books are still used by many athletic associations across the country today. With the establishment of the AHSAA’s Hall of Fame in 1991, Harper was one of 21 contributors to Alabama high school athletics to be inducted into that prestigious hall of fame.

In 1966, Harper left the AHSAA and went to work for the Southeastern Conference, which is headquartered in Birmingham. Largely due to his encyclopedic knowledge of athletic rules, Harper served as the director of the SEC Officials Association for many years. Harper is still memorialized by the SEC today through the Cliff Harper Trophy, which is awarded annually to the top female scorer at the SEC Indoor Track and Field Championships.

Harper was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1980 and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Hall of Fame in 1987. The Alabama Sports Hall of Fame is located in Birmingham and includes famous athletes like Jesse Owens, Willie Mays and Wilcox County native Hank Aaron. To date, Harper is one of only 12 Alabamians to have ever been inducted into the NFHS Hall of Fame.

There is no doubt that Harper was a great man and that he was well respected within the athletic profession. Unfortunately, many of the honors he received came after his death. Harper passed away at the age of 66 on May 26, 1980, and he was buried in the Friendship Baptist Church Cemetery at Pine Apple, the same small town where his storied career in athletics began many, many years before.

The Evergreen Courant's News Flashback for Aug. 18, 2020

Old-fashioned Linotype machine.

18 YEARS AGO

AUG. 15, 2002

Evergreen weather observer Harry Ellis reported 0.11 inches of rain on Aug. 5. He also reported a high of 95 degrees on Aug. 7 and lows of 64 on Aug. 8, Aug. 9 and Aug. 10.

McQueen shot after four-hour manhunt: Law enforcement officers searched the Brownville community for several hours Tuesday afternoon searching for Frank McQueen, 23, aka, Frank Porter Jr., who was wanted in North Carolina on kidnapping charges.

According to the Conecuh County Sheriff’s Department, they were checking the area looking for a vehicle believed to have been stolen by McQueen. McQueen was being sought by Greensboro, North Carolina authorities for kidnapping his ex-wife and assaulting another man.

The sheriff’s department received a call informing them that the woman was at a residence in Brownville. When officers pulled into the yard, McQueen fled out the back door. The authorities called into the house to ask McQueen’s ex-wife to exit the house through the front door. She was immediately taken to a safe location while officers pursued McQueen.

The sheriff’s department, assisted by the Evergreen Police Department, Alabama Bureau of Investigations, Alabama State Troopers, Federal Bureau of Investigations, state helicopter and dog handlers surrounded the area. The search went on for several hours and around 4:45 p.m. a single shot was heard by officers.

According to reports, the dog handler spotted McQueen and told him to stop or he would be shot. McQueen continued to run and was shot one time in the right wrist.

43 YEARS AGO

AUG. 18, 1977

Local weather reporter Earl Windham reported 0.31 inches of rain on Aug. 10 and 0.03 inches on Aug. 13. He reported a high of 98 degrees on Aug. 9 and a low of 70 on Aug. 11.

Conecuh County Schools will open Thurs., Aug. 25, at 8 a.m., it is announced by Wayne Pope, Superintendent. Teachers will report to their assigned schools Aug. 24 for a full day of preparations for the opening of schools Aug. 25.

Sparta Academy will begin classes on Mon., Aug. 22, it is announced by Headmaster Henry Studstill. Registration and textbook sales will be held Friday.

The last class day will be May 24, 1978. Baccalaureate services will be held Sun., May 21, 1978 and graduation exercises on Friday night, May 26, 1978.

Mayor O.B. “Bert” Tuggle cut the ribbon for the grand opening of Bill’s last Thursday morning as Manager Barbara Powell and Bertha Mae McLaughlin held the ribbon and the anxious first customer impatiently waited to get inside to the bargains. Bill’s enjoyed a tremendous opening with large crowds in the store [former Piggly Wiggly building] all the time.

Mr. and Mrs. John Crum Sessions announce the birth of a son, John Henry, weight seven pounds, 10 ounces, on Aug. 10 in the Baptist Hospital in Montgomery. Grandparents are Mrs. Jim Wiggins and Mr. and Mrs. Henry Sessions.

68 YEARS AGO

AUG. 21, 1952

ANOTHER SNAKE AND ANOTHER EGG: Seems like the snakes and hens have been hearing about the stories concerning big snakes and freak eggs. Each week somebody comes up with another big snake or another freak egg.

This week, the rattles from another six-foot rattle snake were brought in. This snake was killed by Elmer and Lamar Sheffield in their grandmother’s yard at Mt. Union Sunday night. It had 22 rattles and a button. The rattles are in The Courant window.

Also in The Courant window this week is as peculiar a hen egg as you’ve ever seen. It was laid by a chicken owned by Guy Hartley. The egg is in a coil and looks like anything but a hen egg.

Belleville Boy Cited As “Good Soldier” – Below is an article taken from a recent issue of “The Spotlite,” camp newspaper which notes the selection of Cpl. William C. Hamilton for special distinction. Cpl. Hamilton is the son of Mr. and Mrs. W.I. Hamilton of Belleville. The article which tells its own story is reproduced in entirety herewith.

“The Spotlite selection for this issue is Cpl. William C. Hamilton of the Medical Supply Section of the 141^st.

“He was inducted into the service Nov. 14, 1950 and was assigned to Fort Jackson, S.C. for his basic training. After his basic, Hamilton was assigned to Fort Riley, Kansas and went to work there in medical supply. On Aug. 15, 1951, he joined the 141^st and was assigned to the Medical Supply Warehouse where he has been ever since.

93 YEARS AGO

AUG. 18, 1927

Council Approves Hydro-Electric Power: The negotiations which have been underway for some months between the town council of Evergreen and officials of the River Falls Power Company were brought to a close Tuesday evening when a contract was approved, whereby electrical energy will be purchased at wholesale from the power company.

Under terms of the contract, the town will lend the sum of $15,000 to the power company for the purpose of constructing a transmission line from Red Level to here. Ten thousand dollars of this will be repaid to the town with power, the company permitting one half of the total power bill each month to go as a payment on the loan until the sum of $10,000 has been paid.

BROOKS BUYS INTEREST WITH W.H. SHELL: M.C. Brooks, well known farmer, live stock dealer and business man of Route A, has purchased an interest in the livestock business of W.H. Shell and son, Otto Shell, and will be actively identified with this business from now on. They will deal in mules, horses, wagons and harness. They will also buy cotton.

Mr. and Mrs. Mal Gilchrist this week assumed charge of the Western Union Telegraph office during the absence of Miss Agnes Warwick, the regular operator, who is away on her vacation.

W.B. James, a former resident of this place, but now living in West Palm Beach, Fla., is spending several days with his son, E.B. James, The Courant’s efficient Linotype operator.