100-year-old newspaper highlights from The Evergreen Courant in Conecuh County, Alabama

James Thomas "J.T." Fincher

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 January 1921.

In the Jan. 5, 1921 edition of The Evergreen Courant, editor and owner George W. Salter Jr. began the year by editorializing that “Christmas is over, and while many of us are broke as a result of the season, let us get right down to hard work, and it will be surprising how soon we will get over that after-Christmas broke feeling.”

Also that week it was reported that “Sheriff Kendall states that during the year just closed, he destroyed 22 liquor stills and made 17 arrests for violations of the prohibition law.”

Salter also let readers know that week that “the teachers institute on Monday brought practically every teacher in the county to the courthouse. And by the way, most of them are pretty girls.”

Also that week, the “newly elected board of commissioners met on Monday with the old board to ‘take dots’ before entering upon their duties. The first regular meeting of the new board will be held on the first of February.”

In the Jan. 12, 1921 edition of The Courant, under the headline “Historic Home in Castleberry Burned, it was reported that the “Downing home in Castleberry was completely destroyed by fire on Thursday last about noon. Most of the furniture and furnishings were saved. This was probably the most historic home in Conecuh County.

“According to old residents who have personal knowledge of it, the house was constructed about the year 1858 by Judge Henderson, who was Judge of Probate while the courthouse was at Sparta, and before the railroad was completed. It was in course of construction, but the track had not been laid. The site for the depot had been selected and Judge Henderson determined to build his home opposite the station. The house was built of the best heart pine, the weather boarding and ceiling being hand dressed and the frame work put up according to the plans in vogue in those days, that of mortices and tenons and held together with wood pegs. The structure was in fine state of preservation and would have lasted many more years.”

Also that week, under the headline “Veterans Elect Officers,” readers learned that at a “recent meeting of Camp Capt. Wm. Lee, the following officers were elected: J.T. Fincher, Commander; Jas. Alexander, Lt. Commander; Geo. W. Northcutt, Adjutant; and W.J. Tomlinson, Ensign. W.L. Stallworth was elected chaplain to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Rev. D.J. Wright.”

Also that week, it was reported that an “airplane was with us again last week for several days, but airplanes are coming to be so common about Evergreen that folk have ceased to suspend business as they formerly did and run out to see them.”

In the Jan. 19, 1921 edition of the newspaper, it was reported that “Prof. J.S. Gibson, the celebrated phrenologist and character reader of Macon, Ga. will be in Evergreen on Jan. 21. His charges are reasonable and the public is hereby respectfully invited to take advantage of this opportunity to find what is the best course to pursue in the training, education and occupation of children.”

Also that week, readers learned that the “corps of road engineers state that the survey of the federal aid road to Travis Bridge will be completed within the next few days. After the completion of this end of the survey, the engineers will survey the route to Belleville it is understood.”

It was also reported that week that “Allen Thomas gave up his place here with the Western Union Telegraph Co. and is now employed in similar capacity at Moultrie, Ga.”

Also that week, “J.W. Kelley, a citizen of Evergreen 20 years ago, was here on Friday last. At that time, he was engaged in the tailoring business. He now resides at Silas, over in Choctaw County. He observed many changes in Evergreen since he left here and met numerous old friends.”

In the Jan. 26, 1921 edition of the paper, Salter reported that “county court on Monday was the largest in several years. Fines aggregating close to $1,500 were turned into the treasury. Violations of the prohibition laws, concealed weapons, etc. constituted the offenses.”

That week’s paper also carried the following notice – “LOST somewhere on streets of Evergreen or on road leading by Mineral Springs to Miller plantation, one automobile tire, size 34x4, on steel rim. Finder please return to this office and receive reward.”

Also that week, under the headline “Fiddlers to Meet,” it was announced that the “superintendent of the McKenzie schools has announced that an old time fiddlers’ convention will be held at the school auditorium at that place Saturday night, Jan. 29, at 7:30 o’clock. Substantial prizes will be awarded to the best fiddlers. People from many miles about McKenzie are expected to attend. The proceeds of the entertainment will be used for the advancement of education at that place.”

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 February 1921 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.