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

USS John S. McCain

30 YEARS AGO
NOV. 1, 1990

Courthouse dome contract is awarded: The dome of the old Monroe County Courthouse could soon be gleaming in the afternoon sun, and the clock chimes could be heard once again across town.
A Saraland company was the apparent low bidder when bids were opened on the dome renovation Oct. 23 by the Monroe County Commission. Delta Sun Contracting Inc. bid $80,000 to restore the exterior of the dome, including replacing or repairing windows, painting, upgrading the dome structurally, and adding a balustrade like the one built originally in 1903. The clock work will be done separately by someone else, but at the same time.

Volunteers upend Meadowview 21-6: Monroe Academy inched a little closer to recording a perfect season Friday night when the Volunteers routed Meadowview Christian School 21-6, a battle of unbeaten private-school football teams.
Senior Jerrod Thompson put the Volunteers on the scoreboard first when he picked a fumble out of the air and raced 91 yards for a touchdown midway through the first quarter. Chris Hare kicked the all-important extra point, which, as it turned out, was enough to defeat the Trojans.
(Other top Monroe players in that game included John Abernathy, Dallas Gamble, Josh Mixon, Todd Salter and Shane Stafford.)

Dean Silcox of Wildfork and his son, Jeremy, killed this six-foot rattlesnake Sunday near Coleman Assembly of God Church at Wildfork. Silcox, who stands 6-foot-4, said the snake was coiled up beside the road. The snake had 10 rattles and a button.

55 YEARS AGO
NOV. 4, 1965

Landmark Coming Down: Another old landmark in Monroeville will be coming down in the near future when builders make room for a rental apartment project on West Claiborne Street. This house, known as the old Steve Hixon Home, is the only structure that has to be removed on the four acres obtained by the company which plans to build the units.

Back In Action: Louie Hayles of Monroeville is expected to be back in action Sat., Nov. 6, when the Marion Institute Cadets host Gordom Military College in the Cadets’ homecoming game. Louie started the season as starting halfback for the Cadets but was injured in an early season game and has been out for about four weeks.

Seaman Joe Lloyd Aboard Flagship: Ship’s Serviceman Second Class Joe C. Lloyd, U.S. Navy, son of Mrs. Addie R. Lloyd of Route 1, Drewry, is serving aboard the flagship of Destroyer Squadron 25, the frigate USS John S. McCain. McCain is presently deployed in the Western Pacific as a unit of the U.S. Seventh Fleet.

A special election Jan. 4 has been called by Gov. George C. Wallace to fill the unexpired term of State Rep. Ralph Jones of Monroeville, who resigned last week.
The vacancy was created when Mr. Jones accepted an appointment as circuit solicitor to the newly created 35^th judicial circuit composed of Monroe and Conecuh counties.
The naming of a representative from Monroe County will be the only office to be filled in this countywide election.

80 YEARS AGO
NOV. 7, 1940

Roosevelt Gets Third Term: In the presidential election on Tuesday, Monroe County polled a heavy vote. The two boxes in Monroeville polled 659 votes of which seven were Republicans. It is reported that two Communist votes were cast in the Perdue Hill box. Over the nation, last reports showed Roosevelt leading in 35 states and Willkie was leading in only nine states.

Monroeville Hi Still Seeking First Win: The Monroe High School football team is still seeking its first win of the season as they go to Georgiana next Friday night to take on the Butler County team.
In the game two weeks ago, the local team held the Frisco City eleven to a scoreless tie, which is the only team that has failed to run up a large score on them so far this season.
Last Friday night, Hayneville were their opponents here, and the visitors showed a well-balanced and smooth running team which easily defeated our boys, 27-0.

Mr. Edwin Lee, student at A.P.I., Auburn, spent the weekend with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. A.C. Lee.

EXCEL SPONSORS POPULARITY CONTEST: The Athletic Association of the Excel community is sponsoring a popularity contest. For the ugliest man, Bonnie Feaster is in the lead, his opponent being Mr. Wigginton. For the prettiest lady, Miss Boutwell is in the lead, her opponent being Miss Jane Crosby.

County Medical Society Meets: At a recent meeting of the Monroe County Medical Society held in Monroeville, the following officers were elected – President, Dr. T.E. Dennis; Vice-President, Dr. W.W. Eddins; Sec.-Tres., Dr. Pennington; Censor for long term, Dr. S.B. McMillan.

105 YEARS AGO
NOV. 4, 1915

Sheriff L.M. Sawyer has purchased the handsome Maxwell home on College Avenue, which he is occupying with his family.

The Baptist protracted meeting began at the courthouse on Monday night and will continue throughout the week. Services at 10 a.m. and 7:15 p.m. Dr. L.L. Gwaltney is an instructive and pleasing speaker and the congregations grow with each service.

The Halloween Party at the Grammar School building on Friday night realized $15.70 to the School Improvement Association. Of this amount, $12.70 was paid to Barnett & Jackson for supplies, $1 to the janitor and $2 represented expenses, as per statement furnished by the treasurer with the request that the same be printed.

Messrs. M.M. Fountain of Monroeville and W.J. Nettles of Tunnel Springs motored to Marion last week on a brief visit to their daughters who are students at the Judson.

Those who attended the Gulf Coast Fair at Mobile say that the exhibit from Monroe showed up in very favorable comparison with the exhibits of other counties. They observed numerous blue and red ribbons attached to various parts of the exhibit.

Mr. M.R. Sowell will shortly erect a cozy bungalow on the lot adjoining his home, which will be occupied by Mr. E.R. Morrissette Jr. and family. Mr. J.M. Daniel is the contractor.

130 YEARS AGO
NOV. 14, 1890

The next regular county drill of the Monroe Corps will take place at Perdue Hill on Thurs., Nov. 27. The occasion will be made pleasant and interesting by the hospitable and generous people of the Hill. A prize will be awarded the best drilled private and also the best drilled four from any section of the company without previous military experience. A sponsor and maids of honor will probably be elected, and a grand ball will conclude the evening’s entertainment.

A very enjoyable musical entertainment was given at the courthouse Thursday night under the excellent management of Mrs. Seymour.

This week is court week and, as usual, a large number of people have been in town.

Chancery court was in session last week, Chancellor Taylor presiding. A large amount of business was disposed of.

Capt. Kemp, Monroe’s able representative in the legislature, left for the Capital City Sunday to be present at the organization of that body. He was accompanied by Mrs. Kemp who went to attend the Southern Exposition.

Mr. James L. Sowell returned last week to continue his medical studies at Tulane University.

Rev. S.P. Lindsay passed through Monroeville on his return from attending the Baptist State Convention at Mobile Wednesday and preached a very forcible and impressive sermon at the Methodist church Wednesday night.

A gin house containing six bales of cotton and a quantity of cotton seed, belonging to Richard Broughton and Henry Frye was burned near Axle on the 12^th. The fire was of accidental origin.