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

33 YEARS AGO
JAN. 28, 1988

Courthouse plans to be revealed: Final plans for the renovation and restoration of one of Monroe County’s oldest landmarks will be revealed on Old Courthouse Restoration Day, Sun., Feb. 7, at 2 p.m. in the courtroom of that building.
According to restoration committee member Mary Tucker, several political leaders, including U.S. Rep. Sonny Callahan and U.S. Senator Richard Shelby, will be on hand and more than 200 members of the media throughout the state and region have been invited.
Plans will feature a small theater and a theatrical production team that will stage various works. Special attention will be given to a stage production of Monroeville native Nelle Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

Excel plays better to record victories: Fewer turnovers and better shot selection were the keys to the Excel High School varsity boys basketball team’s recent victories of 65-58 over Sweet Water and 59-57 over Ernest Ward in Excel, according to Excel’s coach Brad Moore Tuesday.
Miller Helton scored 17 points and pulled down eight rebounds to lead Excel’s offense (against Sweet Water). Helton threw in 16 points and (Tony) Hollinger tossed in 12 points Friday to help the Panthers defeat Ernest Ward.
(Other top Excel players in those games included Ron Millender and Brian Thomas.)

Monroe County Junior Miss Holly Ross was among the Top 10 finalists in the Alabama Junior Miss pageant Saturday night. She won a $1,000 cash scholarship for the high finish. Miss Ross is the 18-year-old daughter of John and Sue Ross of Excel.

57 YEARS AGO
JAN. 24, 1963

Adonna McCrory Is Jr. Miss: Adonna Anne McCrory won the title of Junior Miss in Monroe County Friday night when an overflow crowd attended the pageant at the Community House.
She was crowned by Martha Melton, last year’s Junior Miss in Monroe County.
Miss McCrory will go to Birmingham for eliminations in the state Junior Miss contest on Feb. 18.

City to Purchase New Fire Truck: The City of Monroeville announced plans to buy a new fire truck following a regular meeting of the City Council Tuesday night.
Mayor W.H. Hines stated Wednesday morning that the chassis will be purchased from a local dealer, with the fire fighting equipment being bought from and installed by a concern specializing in such equipment.
Estimated cost of the completely new unit is from $10,000 to $12,000.

CHAMBER BEGINS NEW YEAR: William Bowden was installed as president of the Monroeville Chamber of Commerce Monday night during the annual ladies’ night and installation banquet. W. Cooper Green, Alabama Power Co. executive, was guest speaker for the occasion. Raymond Owens is outgoing president of the group.

Pvt. Womack Assigned To Fort Jackson, S.C. – Private Elmer W. Womack Jr., son of Elmer W. Womack Sr., Box 82, Frisco City, has been assigned to Co. A, 15^th Specialist Battalion, 4^th Training Regiment at Fort Jackson, S.C. for advanced specialist training in the intermediate speed radio operator’s course.

83 YEARS AGO
JAN. 27, 1938

Workmen Busy On Paving Project: Crews of workmen are making good headway on two paving projects in the city limits this week. Curb and gutters are being poured on Mount Pleasant Street and on the street leading to Frisco City.
This work is pushed so the coat of black top can be applied as soon as the warm days come in the spring.

FORMER RESIDENT DIES IN MOBILE: Mr. Cyril Louisell, who resided in this county some 30 years ago and operated a lumber business at Manistee, died at his home in Mobile last Friday night.
After leaving this county, he was identified with the timber and lumber business in Mobile. He was a native of Fond du Lac, Wisc.

Play Presented At Goodway School: A play will be presented at the Goodway School Auditorium Friday night, Jan. 28, at 7:30. Don’t miss the lively comedy, “Goodway Gossip Circle.”

Colder Weather Ends Warm Spell: The spring-like weather which has prevailed in this section for the past two weeks was brought to a close the first of the week by high winds and below freezing temperatures Wednesday morning. The wind did little damage here except to litter the streets with dead limbs, leaves and other rubbish.

President’s Birthday Ball Jan. 31: The President’s Birthday Ball will be held at the Legion Club House in Monroeville on Monday night, Jan. 31. Tickets are now on sale, and all those who purchase tickets will be contributing to the fund to fight infantile paralysis.

108 YEARS AGO
JAN. 30, 1913

Dr. T. McKenzie, the spectacle man of Century, Fla., has been in Monroeville for the last 10 days on professional business.

The Manistee & Repton Railroad has issued instructions that on and after Jan. 15, they will discontinue handling freight or passengers between Lufkin and Manistee, Ala. They will begin at once to take up this track. – J.A. KAUFFMAN, General Manager.

Capt. Thomas A. Nettles of Tunnel Springs was here Tuesday circulating among his numerous friends.

Mr. P.W. McKinley of Cortelyou, Washington County, was in Monroe last week looking after property interests. Mr. McKinley lives in a section where boll weevils have committed depredations for two years and says he can speak from experience that fighting the pest is no child’s play.

Mr. George A. Muldaur, southern fiscal agent of the Gulf, Florida & Alabama Railway, has been in Monroeville several days and will remain until Saturday in the interest of the new railroad. Mr. Muldaur is a most genial gentleman whom it is a pleasure to know. Beyond this, he is invested with authority which makes it desirable for Monroeville people to conciliate his friendship.

The Journal is pained to learn of the death of Mr. James T. Burson at his home in Atmore on Monday afternoon, Jan. 27, after an illness of some days, aged 61 years. Mr. Burson was well known and esteemed throughout Monroe, having resided in the northern portion of the county for many years and serving most efficiently as county commissioner for two terms.

133 YEARS AGO
JAN. 25, 1888

Our local column is short this week, which is due to sickness in the editor’s family.

We call the attention of our readers to the announcement of Mr. John I. Watson for the office of Tax Collector. Mr. Watson is a good and capable man and would discharge the duties of the office with credit to himself and satisfaction to the people.

The Pollard Standard Gauge and The Brewton Banner have been consolidated and The Standard Gauge is now issued from Brewton in an enlarged and otherwise improved form.

I announce myself a candidate for the office of Tax Collector of Monroe County subject to the action of the democratic and conservative party.

We were in error in stating in our last issue that Mrs. Sturgeon had been visiting friends at Scotland. Such was our information and we only “told it as t’was told to me.”

Mr. W.H. Davison of Kempville was in town this week.

Farmers look to interest and go to Roberts, Locklin & Co. for plows, plow stocks, back bands, traces, harness, plow lines, shovels, spades, pitch forks, iron wedges. They have in fact everything needed for the spring farm work at the lowest prices.

CARPENTER – John T. Salter – CARPENTER – Monroeville, Ala. – Work by day or contract. Charges reasonable and satisfaction given.