Sunday, September 13, 2020

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

25 YEARS AGO
SEPT. 14, 1995
Rufous Hummingbird
 
This rare Rufous Hummingbird was trapped Aug. 24 at Steve and Jeannie Hughes’ house in Monroeville. According to Donna Berger, a licensed bird bander for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, this type of hummingbird is more common in the Northwest and Western U.S. than the Southeast. Mrs. Hughes said the bird had been coming to her feeder for about two days. She called Mrs. Berger because she knew the bird is rarely seen in this region.
 
Monroe County High School scored once in each half to defeat Excel 14-0 last Thursday in Excel, playing in front of what had to be the largest crowd to see a high school game in Monroe County this season.
“We knew that both teams would play hard,” said MCHS head coach Steve Allen, who saw his Tigers improve to 2-0 with the win.
(Top MCHS players in that game included Tad Anderson, Ben Ard, Bucky Busby, Terry Dean, Brad Griffin, Clinton Kidd, Deloster Kidd, Chris Lee, Rick Ramer, Deric Scott, Eric Scott and Chris Tilley. Top Excel players in that game included Kelvin Betts, Jimbo Bishop, Lee Fore, Chris Lint, Kevin Luker, Maurice McMillian, Shane Moore and Travis Smith. Al Bowen was Excel’s head coach.)
 
The Beatrice Town Council said goodbye to its longtime town clerk and welcomed her replacement during a special Sept. 6 meeting. Mrs. (Dorothy) Martin told the council Sept. 4 of her decision to resign, effective Oct. 1. She said she had talked with Sandra Bishop, (Councilman) Alan Bishop’s wife, and Mrs. Bishop said she would be willing to take over as clerk if the council agreed. The council voted unanimously to accept Mrs. Martin’s resignation and to hire Mrs. Bishop.

75 YEARS AGO
SEPT. 13, 1945
 
Staff Sergeant Wardlow Watson has been awarded the Silver Star Medal “for gallantry in action against an armed enemy on Jan. 6, 1945. During an attack on Fillet, Belgium, Sgt. Watson assumed command of his platoon when the leader was wounded and led his platoon with outstanding courage and skill, demonstrating the highest qualities of leadership.” He has been awarded two silver stars, the Purple Heart with two clusters, the Bronze Medal of Honor, ribbon and bars.
Sgt. Watson is the grandson of Mrs. A.A. Hutto of Beatrice and nephew of Mrs. T.T. Ivey and B.B. Finklea.
 
Excel School To Open Friday: The Excel High School and Elementary School will open Fri., Sept. 14, at nine o’clock and pupils will be dismissed at noon. (H.L. Terrell was Excel’s principal at that time.)
 
Telephone Company Installing Switchboard: We are advised by Mr. Stallworth that Mr. H.P. Hurst of Bessemer, Ala., is here installing an additional switchboard in the Monroeville Telephone Company exchange at Monroeville.
For some two or three years, war conditions have prevented that company from procuring materials necessary to enable them to supply the demand for new telephone service. It now appears, however, that the bans will soon have been lifted from these materials, and they are already taking steps to promptly take care of the situation.
 
Mr. A.B. Blass attended a Scout committee meeting in Marianna, Fla. Monday.

100 YEARS AGO
SEPT. 10, 1920
 
High School Opening: The Monroe County High School will open on Tues., Sept. 14, at 10 a.m. for the session of 1920-21. A large number of boarding pupils have already secured board and many more are expected. Our faculty for the coming session is complete and one of the strongest in the state.
Mr. Jones, who will have charge of athletics for the coming session, comes to us from the University of Alabama, where he made a great record for the past six years. He was considered the best graduate instructor at the University during the past session.
 
Mr. W.J. Pritchett drove a classy Paige car over from Evergreen Wednesday which was the admiration of many beholders. Mr. Pritchett is the sales agent for this territory and has numerous satisfied customers.
 
Hon. A.D. Pitts of Selma, United States District Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama, was a business visitor to Monroeville this week.
 
Mr. and Mrs. E.R. Morrissette attended the marriage of their sister, Miss Annie Scott, to Mr. Ulmer E. Bradley at Eliska on Tues., Sept. 7.
 
Prof. W.L. Howard was up from Excel yesterday. He gave the gratifying information that the fund required of the community for the Vocational School had been fully subscribed and it is believed that there will be no hitch in the plan for putting the school into operation.
 
Mr. Jas. K. Kyser attended the celebration of “Forward Movement Day” at the Downing Industrial Institute, Brewton, on Wednesday. The exercises on the occasion were interesting and concluded with a most sumptuous feast.

125 YEARS AGO
SEPT. 12, 1895
 
Attention Militia: Every member of Monroe County Corps will appear in uniform at Monroeville at 10 o’clock am. on the first Saturday in October 1895. Any member failing to appear without rendering a satisfactory excuse will be dishonorably discharged. – T.B. Nettles, Capt. 
 
Killing at Burnt Corn: We learn that on last Tuesday two young men, Marion Mixon and Nat Coven, brothers-in-law, residing in the vicinity of Burnt Corn, became involved in a difficulty in which Coven received injuries resulting in his death.
An employee of Mr. Geo. Watson’s place, near Burnt Corn, last Saturday night, while dressing in his house, was shot and killed by unknown parties.
 
Masonic: Monroe Chapter No. 4 will hold a regular convocation at Perdue Hill, Ala., Oct. 3, 1895 at eight o’clock p.m. All Companions are requested to be present. – W.J. McCants, Secretary. 
 
Our enterprising and energetic friend, B.F. Wiggins, is erecting a steam saw mill six miles south of town on the Repton road and will soon be prepared to supply the trade with first-class lumber.
 
Chas. J. Torry, Esq., of Mobile, who has been spending the summer with his family at their country home at Claiborne, gave us a glimpse of his genial face on Friday.
 
Glendale: Last Sunday, while walking over his farm, Mr. B.F. Dogget killed 14 rattlesnakes, two of which measured 4-1/2 feet, and the others about 15 inches in length.

150 YEARS AGO
SEPT. 17, 1870
 
Religious Meeting: A series of very interesting religious meetings have been in progress at the Baptist church in Monroeville, during the past week. The services were conducted by the Rev. W.G. Curry of the Baptist church, assisted by the Rev. Archie McFadyen of the Presbyterian church. Twelve persons were baptized yesterday by Mr. Curry, after which the meeting closed.
 
MARRIED – In Scotland, on the 14th inst., by Rev. Archie McFadyen, Mr. Miller Davison of Texas, to Miss Julia, daughter of A.S. McMillan, Esq.
The happy pair have our best wishes for their future prosperity. 
The fair bride will accept the thanks of our printers for a delicious cake, delivered by Mr. L.R. Wiggins, her obliging messenger.
 
LOST: Between Monroeville and Scotland, a cane with silver head, engraved R.L. Dabney to J.C. Stiles. The finder will be rewarded by leaving it with J.F. McCorvey at Monroeville or Dr. W.W. McMillan, Scotland.
 
YOUNG HORSES! T.E. Dennis & Co., who have been in Texas since January last selecting a large drove of fine American horses and mares, will be here in a few days with 100 head. Headquarters at Scotland, Monroe County, Alabama. Persons wishing to buy will do well to see them.
 
Farmer’s Hotel, Monroeville, Ala., by W.R. Henderson – The above hotel is solely under management of myself and wife, and by strict attention to our guests, we hope to merit and receive a liberal patronage.

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