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

16 YEARS AGO
OCT. 7, 2004

Cleanup to start soon: If dump sites can be located and approved in the next few days, the cleanup of debris created by Hurricane Ivan could begin early next week, according to John Foggerty, a spokesman with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
“The people of Monroe County are getting a little anxious, especially those in the municipal areas because it’s been so dry for sometime here,” Monroe County Probate Judge Otha Lee Biggs told Foggerty yesterday (Wednesday) morning.
“First, we have to locate reduction (dump) sites where material can be dumped or burned or ground up for mulch and chips,” said Foggerty. “We have already received several leads from your county engineer (Robert English) on possible sites.”

Dogs pick up first win: URIAH – It all came together for J.U. Blacksher here Friday evening at John Sawyer Memorial Field when the Bulldogs shutout Fruitdale 14-0.
Blacksher broke the 200-yard mark in rushing with senior quarterback Pete Glass leading the effort. He finished with 77 yards and a touchdown on nine carries. Glass also completed four of eight passes for 67 yards and the team’s second touchdown.
(Other top Blacksher players in that game included Ryan Gorum, Matthew Jeter, Devin King, Justin Lowe, Isaac Nichols and Darius Parker.)

Packer’s Bend to get clinic: Residents of Packer’s Bend and Lower Peachtree will soon receive medical services in a new building thanks to the efforts of some area residents, including Faye Carstarphen.
Carstarphen said Alabama Gov. Bob Riley recently notified her that the community will receive a $250,000 grant to construct a building to house a much-needed medical center there.

41 YEARS AGO
OCT. 4, 1979

Sworn in: Monroe County Tax Assessor James E. Witherington is sworn in by Probate Judge Otha Lee Biggs Tuesday of last week. Witherington will be serving his second full term. He was appointed in 1968 by then-Gov. Albert Brewer to fill a vacancy when Harry Lazenby died. Witherington was elected to his post without opposition in 1972 and 1978. The tax assessor’s term starts the year after the election.

MA clobbers Greenville Academy 45-7: The Monroe Academy Volunteers jumped out to a 20-0 first-quarter lead and coasted to a 45-7 win over the Greenville Academy Tornadoes Friday night at Volunteer Stadium.
Coach Rob Kelly’s team, now 4-1, sent GA reeling to its fifth loss in as many games, scoring more than 40 points for the second time this season en route to the lopsided win. (Todd) Cruitt led MA rushers with 76 yards and one TD on just four carries.
(Other top MA players in that game included Boyd Bradley, David Carpenter, Tim Chunn, Randall Norris, Tommy Owens, Rickey Sanchez, Doug Smith, Tripp Stallworth and Jeff Tatum.)

Fireman of the Year: Jim Syler accepts a plaque and congratulations from Monroeville Fire Chief Wilbert Pickens for being chosen Fireman of the Year for 1979 by the Monroeville Volunteer Fire Department. Syler received the award at the firemen’s annual supper Sept. 22. Syler is a lieutenant of one of the department’s rescue squads.

66 YEARS AGO
OCT. 7, 1954

Noted Folklore Writer, Sculptor To Address Kiwanis Club Friday: Julian Rayford of Mobile, noted folklore authority, writer and sculptor, will be guest speaker on the program at the weekly luncheon meeting at the Monroeville Kiwanis Club Friday at the Hi-Ho Restaurant.

Julian Lee "Judy" Rayford

Mr. Rayford, a columnist for the paper at Chickasaw, has published a number of folklore writings, including “Cottonmouth” and “Tale of the Snapping Turtle.” He has been a student of the famed sculptor, Borglum, who carved the faces on Stone Mountain near Atlanta, Ga.

Beatrice Hi Eagles Top Lyeffion 19-7: An inspired grid team of Beatrice High Eagles jumped into the win column for the first time last Friday night when they overpowered a visiting Lyeffion squad, 19-7.
Beatrice led the scoring parade with an initial tally in the second quarter. The scoring play was a 30-yard pass from quarterback Jim Bigger to right half John Swanner in the end zone. A pass from Bigger to left end Bobby Johnson accounted for the extra point.
(Other top Beatrice players in that game included left guard Johnny Johnston.)

ARRIVES IN ALASKA: U.S. Forces, Alaska – Pvt. William D. Lloyd, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Lloyd, Monroeville, recently arrived in Alaska for duty with the U.S. Army Alaska headquarters.
Army units stationed in Alaska undergo intensive field training while guarding the northern approaches to the U.S.
Pvt. Lloyd entered the Army in March of this year and received training at Fort Jackson, S.C. and Camp Chaffee, Ark.

91 YEARS AGO
OCT. 3, 1929

M. Katz Dry Goods Store will be closed Sat., Oct. 5, on account of Jewish holiday but will be open Monday morning, Oct. 7, with the best bargains ever shown in this section.

MONROE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE: The football team of the Monroe County High School has scheduled the following games for the current season: Castleberry at Monroeville, Oct. 4; Excel at Monroeville, Oct. 18; Camden at Monroeville, Oct. 25; Uriah at Monroeville, Nov. 1; Brewton at Brewton, Nov. 8; Beatrice at Beatrice, Nov. 15; Frisco City at Monroeville, Nov. 22; Evergreen at Evergreen, Nov. 28.

An unusually large freak egg was brought to this office Tuesday by Mr. Hybart Busey, who lives on the Ridge. The large egg contained the usual yolk and white plus a perfectly formed egg about the size of a guinea egg.

ED FORE, MONROE BOY, IS KILLED: Ed Fore, 19, son of a farmer living near here, died late Thursday as a result of injuries received Wednesday when he fell from the Flat Creek highway bridge to the rocks 30 feet below. The boy suffered several broken ribs, one of which penetrated his lung, causing death. The boy was working for the Swift-Dodge Construction Co. on the bridge near here.

WANTED – Information regarding the whereabouts of John I. Watson, or his wife, Missouri A., or their heirs. If communicated to Dept. A.W.F., Aetna Life Ins. Co., Hartford, Conn., will be to their advantage.

141 YEARS AGO
OCT. 6, 1879

Personal – Col. Sypert of Hopkinsville, Ky. was in Monroeville last week. He came as an attorney in the interest of Mr. Chas. Roberts, now confined in jail at this place, charged with murder. Chas. Roberts is a native of Kentucky, we believe, and was formerly a citizen of Hopkinsville.

McKinley’s – A petition has been sent on to the post office department at Washington to establish a post office at Mr. Walton McKinley’s on the Bell’s Landing mail route.

Bell’s Landing – An unfortunate difficulty occurred near Bell’s last Tuesday morning. George Williams, residing near Mr. Jno. McDuffie’s place, was moving his cotton without the consent of Mr. McD, who remonstrated with (Williams), when the latter gave him some pure unadulterated impudence and became very belligerent. Mr. McDuffie struck George. George at once drew a knife and commenced cutting. He first cut Mr. McDuffie across the abdomen, making an ugly, if not a serious, wound and had his knife raised again, when Mr. McDuffie reached for his pistol with his left hand and shot, the ball taking effect in George’s abdomen. At last accounts, (Williams) was still living and hopes were entertained of his early recovery. This was one of those unfortunate difficulties that will occasionally occur in the most law-abiding communities, and no one regrets it more than Mr. McDuffie himself. There is no doubt that the shooting was done in self-defense.
[Since the above was put in type, we met Mr. McDuffie, who we were pleased to find, able to be up and about, after a very narrow escape, and we learned through him that (Williams) died in 24 hours after the shooting.]