In the July 7, 1921 edition of The Wilcox Progressive Era,
publisher Stanley Clifford Godbold reported under the headline “McWilliams
Stages Grand Celebration” that the “Fourth of July found full expression at
McWilliams on Saturday last when a barbecue and picnic generally was served to
about 500 visitors. All that is embodied in the word picnic was found there.
The good people of that community had prepared for the occasion in every
detail. One of the most bounteous dinners that could be desired, and plenty was
served.”
Elsewhere in that week’s paper, it was reported that
“Camden was very quiet on the Fourth, many of its citizens visiting the ball
game in Selma and the barbecue at Monroeville. There were a number of big
dinners, fishing and swimming parties in and around town for the pleasure of
the people.”
In the July 14, 1921 edition of The Progressive Era, readers
saw under the headline “CAMDEN WINS FROM DEMOPOLIS” that “Camden defeated
Demopolis on the latter’s diamond last Thursday by a score of 5 to 4. Big Boy
Ardis pitched a nice game for Camden, holding Demopolis to one run until the
ninth inning. Lefty Wingard for Demopolis was touched for 10 hits. Askew for
Demopolis got three hits, and Calhoun for Camden got three hits and a
two-bagger.”
Readers that week also learned that the “Peachtree people
are delighted with the new road recently built to Sunny South. They can now
make the trip in 30 minutes.”
In the July 21, 1921 edition of the newspaper, readers
learned that “Mr. Neal Crosby of Asahel has returned from a visit to Portland,
on the Alabama River and in Dallas County. While there, he drank plentifully
white sulfur water that gushes from a thousand-foot-deep artesian well that has
been bored on the Portland property. The well overflows from a six-inch pipe
and comes up 30 feet above the surface. Its health-giving waters has benefitted
many including Mr. Crosby. This overflow well is one of a few on the Camden and
Montgomery side of the river that we have ever heard of. However, on the Selma
side of the river, overflowing wells are plentiful.”
It was also reported that week that “Mrs. J.S. Foster had
been appointed temporary postmaster to fill the vacancy made by the resignation
of Mr. R.C. Jones, who resigned to accept a position as cashier of Bank of
Camden.”
In the July 28, 1921 edition of the paper, it was reported
that “last Friday night, a man named Ervin McCaskie shot another man, Albert
Jones, on the Tom Tait place in Mt. Hope beat, the wounded man died that night.
The murderer escaped and up to this time has not been captured. A woman said to
be implicated has been arrested and is now on bond.
“A boy stole $36 from the pocket of a workman, B. Till.
The boy was captured at the Vredenburgh camp and most of the money was
recovered. An attempt was made to enter the home of Mr. Arthur Capell last
Thursday night.
“The impression is growing in the county that the sheriff
should be furnished with blood hounds and with telephone connection all over
the county. The dogs could be put on a law violator’s trail in an hour and aid
in their capture.”
That week’s paper also let readers know that upcoming
movies at the Camden Theatre were as follows – “Tues., Aug. 2, Tom Mix in The
Texan – Thurs., Aug. 4, Billie Burke in The Misleading Widow – Sat., Aug. 6,
Douglas McLean and Doris May in Mary’s Ankle.”
Well, I guess that’s all that space will allow for this month. On the first Thursday of next month, I plan to take a look at the events of August 1921 in Wilcox County. Until then, if you get the urge to research the county’s past yourself, take advantage of the Alabama Department of Archives and History’s excellent selection of old newspapers on microfilm and other resources. Their friendly staff will be more than happy to get you started.
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