Little remains from the heyday of the old Keyser community in Wilcox County, Alabama

Between McWilliams and the old Ruthven community in the southeastern corner of the county, County Road 2 runs about five miles, just north and almost parallel to the Wilcox-Monroe County line.

Those of you who have traveled this route will know that there’s not a lot to see between McWilliams and Ruthven, that is, unless you take your time and keep your eyes open. You won’t find any homes or other buildings fronting this stretch of county road, but you’ll see plenty of flora and fauna if you chance along at the right time.

The other day, I found myself on this old road as I took the back way from McWilliams to Pine Apple. There wasn’t another vehicle in sight, so I eased along with an eye out for any old buildings that might hint at a time when this part of the county was more heavily populated. While I didn’t see any old buildings, I did see quite a bit.

As you travel east out of McWilliams, the road will take you over Grindstone Creek and Bull Bay Branch. Distinctive blue signs mark both of these small bodies of water, and they would be easy to miss if not for the signs. One can only wonder how these streams got their names.

Not much farther down the road, I came upon a rafter of turkeys that had just emerged from the woodline and into the bright sunshine. They were about 50 yards ahead of me, and as best I could make out, the group consisted of at least one hen and several poults. When they spotted my truck, they disappeared quickly into the shadowy woods on the opposite site of the road.

I continued to ease along and not much farther ahead, I spotted a long brown snake crossing the hot asphalt in the distance. I got right up on him and could see that he was a harmless chicken snake. My window rolled down, I leaned out a little and watched him until his long length vanished safely into the green roadside grass.

While sitting there watching the snake, I remembered that I was very close to what was once called the old Keyser community. I’ve seen Keyser noted on old maps that date way back to the early 1900s, but there’s no sign of it today along County Road 2. The best map of the area that I have shows Keyser located about half way between McWilliams and Ruthven.

From there, I continued on to the bridge over Bear Creek and to points beyond. As I crept along, I could not help but think about all that I’d seen along County Road 2 and about how almost nothing remains of the old Keyser community. Perhaps remnants of the old community can be found in the woods, somewhere off the road?

In the end, I’d like to hear from anyone in the reading audience with more information about the old Keyser community. I’m especially interested in any old ghost stories, local legends or Indian lore from this part of the county. If you know of anything along those lines, please let me know so that it can be documented for future generations.

Old Ireland community once sat on the Monroe County line between Burnt Corn and Pine Orchard

Historical marker near old Ireland community.

Once upon a time in the Monroe County’s early history, there was a community named Ireland. This small community was located about halfway between Burnt Corn and Pine Orchard on the Old Federal Road. Today, most folks know this road as County Road 5, which makes up much of the border between Monroe and Conecuh counties.

I found myself traveling down County Road 5 last Friday afternoon and stopped for a few minutes to read the historical marker near the site of the old Ireland community. According to that marker, a settler named Garrett Longmire had an early trading center, tavern and stage stop near here. He served as the postmaster when his store became a post office in 1818, one of the earliest in what was then the Alabama Territory.

As I stood there, I remembered that the old Ireland community once also had its own post office from 1879 to 1883. According to local historian Steve Stacey, that post office was established by an Irishman named Patrick McGlinn, a popular early Monroe County businessman who had a store there called P. McGlinn & Co. In addition to a post office, this old store specialized in dry goods and groceries brought up the Alabama River to Claiborne by riverboats.

As I walked back to my truck in the tall, green grass, I also recalled that I was very near what people in this area call “Booger Bottom.” Over the years, I’ve had a number of older people tell me all sorts of unusual tales about this spooky location. One woman told me years ago that when she was a young girl growing up around Burnt Corn, older members of the community would scare children with stories about “Booger Bottom.”

Supposedly, something lived in the woods there that would carry you off if you lingered too long in that area. She said that she used to be so scared of this area that even when she got old enough to drive, she would drive a little faster to get through that area, especially at night. Many in the reading audience would know this lady if I were to give her name, and they would also know that she isn’t the type to make up wild stories and tall tales.

Over the years, others have also told me about an entity called “Hairy Bill,” who supposedly lived at “Booger Bottom.” Some say that “Hairy Bill” was a fictitious character created by older adults in the community to keep small children from playing in and around the logging woods. Others say they’ve seen “white thangs” run across the road at night in this area, and in olden times horses would balk at traveling through this area in the dark.

I myself have traveled this length of the Old Federal Road more times than I can remember, and I’ve never seen anything out of the ordinary. Perhaps, I just didn’t pass through at the right time. One thing is for sure, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a part of the county more steeped in local history or with friendlier residents.

In the end, let me hear from you if you know any additional information about the Ireland community’s history. I’m especially interested in any old ghost stories, local legends or Indian lore from this part of the county. If you know of anything along these lines, please let me know so that this information can be documented for future generations to come.

Wilcox County, Alabama News Flashback for July 28, 2021

Joseph F. Johnston

63 YEARS AGO
JULY 24, 1958

Hollinger In Farm Magazine: Leo Hollinger, his father and two brothers are farming in Wilcox County with Leo in charge of hogs. How successful he has been in his enterprise is brought out in an interview by a traveling editor of The Progressive Farmer, which appears on Page 69 of the August issue.
Leo is running about 60 sows and wants 1,000 hogs by next year. He used a modified Auburn plan in building his farrowing stall. Still believing in grazing as a valuable part of the feed program, Leo has five pastures on which he rotates hogs.
His culling program toward meat-type Duroc hogs is paying off. “When the Camden market was 22 cents on top hogs,” he says, “we sold directly to the packers for $23.50.”

Baseball Friday, Softball Saturday: All Camden Peewee League boys will play Friday night at 6:30 p.m., it was announced by Coach Connie McKelvey, recreational director. At 7:30, two of the Camden Babe Ruth teams will battle in a full seven-inning game. All players are urged to note the time and the schedule and be at the field ready to play.
On Tuesday night, all of the men’s softball teams will see action starting at 7:30 p.m. In the first game, it will be Bob Lane’s Gassers against Burkett’s team, while the second game will see Frank Scott’s club against Charles Person’s crew.

76 YEARS AGO
JULY 26, 1945

R.H. Kilpatrick Is Claimed By Death: Rufus Hall Kilpatrick, general agent for the Illinois Central, Laurel, died at the Illinois Central Hospital in New Orleans at 1:40 o’clock Wednesday morning.
The body will leave New Orleans on Thursday morning at 8:30 and will be taken to Camden, Alabama for burial on Friday morning from the Matthews Funeral Home at 10 o’clock.
He was born in Camden, Alabama July 12, 1885 and began railroading as agent operator on the L&N in September 1903 in the Southern Alabama Division and remained with that company until March 1906. From 1906 to 1908, he was dispatcher for the Santa Fe at San Marcial, New Mexico, and then went to Atlanta as cashier for the L&N.
In 1910, he became associated with the G. and S.I. and in 1922 came to Laurel as agent and has made this his home since that time. Prior to his coming to Laurel, he was dispatcher at Hattiesburg and agent at Mount Olive.

Sgt. Bert Kennedy of the U.S. Air Corps has returned from the European sector.

Staff Sgt. Rex Partin has returned from overseas duty, European sector, and is visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Homer Partin of Neenah. Sgt. Partin will leave in the next few days for a new assignment.

Miss Laura Dale McNeill has returned from Montgomery, where she served as a clerk in the State Legislature.

Lt. Tom N. Nicholson, who has recently returned from Italy, is spending a 30-day furlough at his home in Centerville. He visited relatives in Camden Thursday afternoon.

89 YEARS AGO
JULY 28, 1932

CHILDHOOD MEMORIES OF PROMINENT CITIZENS OF HALF A CENTURY AND MORE AGO – Jeremiah L. Reddish – Jere Reddish was rather a small man of neat and dapper appearance and full of energy and go. He had a very florid complexion and dark auburn hair and no whiskers except a mustache. By profession, he was a lawyer and for years was the register in chancery here. He would fight whenever called upon and on one occasion during a session of the circuit court he threw a glass of water at one of the other lawyers who opposed him in a case but as we remember the glass missed its intended victim. As he married the only daughter of Mr. Jere Fail, we think he lived inside the Brick Wall. We think he left here in the early seventies and went to Texas or to Mississippi. – “Sixty”

MISS MARIE WALLER APPOINTED CIRCUIT CLERK: Miss Marie Waller, who for the past 12 years has been a stenographer in the office of the Circuit Clerk, has recently been appointed Clerk by Judge John Miller.
Miss Waller succeeds Harper Stacy, who resigned a few days ago, to take up the duties of Principal of the Bibb County High School.

Capt. Emmett Kilpatrick returned Monday from a two weeks vacation at Beacon Beach, Fla.

Miss Alice Feticks died at her home in Camden on Fri., July 22. Miss Feticks spent the greater portion of her life in Camden, she was a devout Catholic and the funeral service was conducted by Father Kennedy of Selma.

102 YEARS AGO
JULY 24, 1919

Death of Private Sam’l C. Watford: On May 23, the sad news reached the home of Mr. G.W. Watford at Caledonia, Ala. of the death of his son, Private Samuel Clarence Watford. He was found dead in his tent at Camp Shelby, Miss., the cause of his death is unknown. It is supposed some one killed him, for he was ready to come home on May 24. A razor in someone’s hand cut his throat; what money he had with him was stained with blood. Clarence was drafted into the Army April 26, 1918, left Camden for Camp Jackson, Columbia, S.C. There he was trained for overseas service; he got a furlough in July to come home to bid his friends and loved ones goodbye. He left for France Aug. 8, 1918. Landed in England, went from there to Brest, there he stayed for seven long months; was on the front five days and did not get wounded. After the armistice when he got on his hike, he became disabled; he was taken to a hospital where he had the mumps and stomach trouble. He came back with the casualty list, landed in New York March 4, stayed there only a short time, left there for Camp Shelby, Miss., where he stayed until death.
His remains were laid to rest in Pine Apple cemetery. He leaves an aged father, two sisters, two brothers and a host of other relatives and friends to mourn his loss.

Mr. T.M. Baggett has acquired an interest in the moving picture show, having purchased the interest of the Hawthorne Bros. The movie will be installed in a new and more commodious building.

115 YEARS AGO
JULY 26, 1906

Joe Johnston In Camden: On Sat., July 21, ex-Governor Jos. F. Johnson came to Camden on the afternoon train, accompanied by Mess. Lumpkin, Callen and Bamburger of Selma and after rest and refreshments, spoke in the courthouse to a good audience. His speech was well-received and a vote-getter.

Our Baptists have purchased a lot in front of Mr. R.E. McWilliams’ house and will erect a parsonage thereon.

The Carlowvillians came on Wednesday last and played a baseball game at Rock West with the Rock Westians, and the former won the victory. Quite a number of ladies were present from Carlowville.

J. Paul Jones, Esq., has begun the erection of a cottage on his lot between the Catholic church yard and Mr. E.O. Rentz’s residence.

Information reached here yesterday of a fire which occurred at Lamison Friday night, which destroyed the general mercantile business of Raines & Wilkerson. The building and contents were completely destroyed and the loss will be several thousand dollars. – Selma Times.

Miss Alice Feticks of Texas is a guest of the Boltz House.

The county court convened in Camden on Mon., July 23.

Our young Camdenites enjoyed a dance on Friday night at the City Hall.

The Evergreen Courant's Sports Flashback for July 26, 2021

Auburn's Ralph "Shug" Jordan

15 YEARS AGO
JULY 27, 2006

Sparta Academy and all Alabama Independent School Association schools will begin summer football practice today.
Russ Brown, an assistant coach on head coach Clint Floyd’s staff at Sparta, said they’re expecting to have between 25 to 30 players to show up for opening day drills.
Floyd was hired in May to replace Daniel Wilson, who resigned to accept an assistant coaching position at T.R. Miller High School in Brewton.

Evergreen improved to 1-1 without snapping the football last Saturday when the Jaguars’ Minor League professional football team accepted a forfeit.
Victor Coleman, the team’s owner and coach, said the Baton Rouge, La. Eagles were not able to field a team.
Evergreen opened its regular season July 15 with a 24-6 loss to the Bayou Vipers of Hammond, La. in Evergreen.

Hillcrest High School will serve as host for a 7-on-7 scrimmage tonight at Jaguar Stadium in Evergreen.
Head coach Maurice Belser said the 7-on-7 scrimmage will start at 6 p.m. In addition to Andalusia, Highland Home, Enterprise, Straughn and Luverne will compete in the scrimmage.

31 YEARS AGO
JULY 26, 1990

Bill McGehee Memorial Tourney winners are told: On Tues., July 17, the Sixth Annual Bill McGehee Memorial Junior Tournament was held at the Evergreen Golf Club. Twenty-seven boys participated in the event.
The tournament champion for the second year was 16-year-old Scott Stephens of Rose Hill, Ala. Other winners in the age divisions were: 10 and under-1st, Josh Gardner, Greenville; 2nd, Terry Hammonds, Evergreen; and 3rd, Caleb Gardner, Greenville.
11 and 12-1st, Wade Warren, Birmingham (son of Connor Warren and grandson of Mrs. Byron Warren); 2nd, Walton Hickman, Greenville; and 3rd, Chris Waller, Greenville.
13 and 14-1st, John Hart, Brewton; 2nd, Jeff Sellers, Andalusia; and 3rd, Scott Sikes, Greenville.
15 and 16-1st, Scotty Stephens, Rose Hill; 2nd, Patrick Padgett, Andalusia; and 3rd, Clark Cameron, Andalusia.
17 and 18-1st, Brian Dassinger, Brewton; 2nd, Boyd Robinson, Monroeville; and 3rd, Matt Moorer, Monroeville.

The Evergreen Aggies Tiny Mite and Pee Wee football registration will be held Sat., July 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the old Alfa Insurance Office on South Main Street. This is the team with the green jerseys.
If you live north of Reynolds Avenue, thru north Pierce Street, including all of Route C, Route D and east of the railroad in the Route 3 area, this is the team you sign with.

34 YEARS AGO
JULY 23, 1987

LYEFFION QB’S MEET: There will be a meeting of the Lyeffion Quarterback Club Thursday night, July 30, at 7:30 p.m. at the school. The Tiny Mite and Pee Wee football program will be discussed. Any boys age 8 to 13 in the county interested in playing should contact Dan Byrd. Practice will begin Aug. 3.

Sergeant Major Frank Jones caught this 26-pound King Salmon out of Sheep Creek, 82 miles north of Anchorage, Alaska.

PEE WEE & TINY MITE SIGNUP: Sign-up dates for Pee Wee and Termite Football players at Conecuh County High School has been set for Aug. 1 from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. at the school. If you are playing for the first time, you need to bring your birth certificate.

Army Sergeant Major Frank Jones caught this King Salmon, which weighed 48 pounds, out of Sheep Creek, 82 miles north of Anchorage, Alaska. He said: “Pop Jones and Kenneth Jones, eat your hearts out.”

Frank Jones Jr., son of Sergeant Major Frank Jones, caught this 26-pound King Salmon out of Sheep Creek, 82 miles north of Anchorage, Alaska.

Beano Baker’s SPORTSBEAT: THE ALABAMA CONNECTION… It’s been somewhat of a down year for major league ballplayers with ties to Alabama, the state that produced Hall of Famers Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Billy Williams and Dixie Walker.

44 YEARS AGO
JULY 28, 1977

Peacock drowning shocks all county: The drowning Monday afternoon of Jerry Willard Peacock, 18, shocked this entire county. The popular Evergreen youth drowned after he and another local youth, Bobby Johnson, were involved in a boating accident on the Alabama River north of Haynes Ferry in Monroe County.
Jerry was a popular member of this year’s graduating class at Sparta Academy. He was an outstanding athlete and student and took an active part in all school activities. He performed outstandingly in a number of leading roles in productions by The Sparta Players.
According to information given to The Courant by telephone by Frank Blanchard of The Monroe Journal, Monroeville, the accident occurred about 2:30 Monday afternoon.
Monroe County Deputy Sheriff Larry Ikner said that Johnson and Peacock were fishing when they had motor trouble. Johnson was attempting to start the motor and was thrown from the boat when the motor started and suddenly jerked the boat forward. Peacock fell overboard in mid-river when he stood and tried to assist Johnson.
Johnson reportedly lost sight of Peacock immediately and after trying to locate his friend, who could not swim, he swam to shore and fell unconscious from exhaustion.

From “The Colyum” by Bob Bozeman: Mostly a country editor enjoys his work, but there are also unpleasant duties that must be performed. The most unpleasant is writing of deaths and this is especially unpleasant when the deceased is a young person taken from this earth when a whole life was yet to be lived.
The tragic drowning of Jerry Peacock shocked all of us who knew him. Jerry was a fine young man and as he and my daughter were classmates his death really struck hard at our house. Jerry was a fine athlete, a true competitor, but more than that he was a well-rounded young man, one who lived life to the fullest and enjoyed his family and friends. An example of his versatility would be the fine acting he did in a number of leading roles in productions by The Sparta Players.
There are really no words to cover a tragedy like this, but I do want to extend deepest sympathy to Jerry’s family and to his many friends. We all enjoyed knowing him and we all shall miss him.

65 YEARS AGO
JULY 26, 1956

Auburn Alumni Attend Meeting: Hear Jordan: The Evergreen Auburn club attended a joint meeting with the Brewton and Andalusia clubs in Brewton, Thursday night, July 19, at the Townhouse Cafeteria.
Ralph Jordan, head coach at Auburn, was the guest speaker. Coach Jordan gave a very interesting talk on conditions of the current football teams at Auburn and gave brief appraisals of various players asked about by members of the group attending. He stated that the outlook for the incoming football season was very good for Auburn. Others attending from Auburn included Jeff Beard, Assistant Coach, and Joe Shaver, Executive Secretary, Auburn Alumni Association.
Each of the clubs attending elected new officers and the following officers were elected for the Evergreen Auburn Club: Willie Tucker, President; Tal Stuart, Vice President; and Judson Gary, Secretary-Treasurer. Other alumni attending from Evergreen were M.M. Cardwell, J.F. Clements, Cecil Hagood, C.A. Jones, Guy Kelly, Henry Sessions, O.B. Tuggle, A.G. Walker and J.H. Witherington.

Last Week With The Evergreen Jr. League: Yankees Clip Sox 7-5: In the regular season double header Wednesday night the Yankees got off to a flying start off Claude Aaron with four runs in the first inning. Ward scored on Miller’s fielder’s choice then with two on Kelley lined thru short pushing in two and followed them home on Johnson’s single.
The Red Sox came back in their half of the first with three runs off three walks and three hits. Moses relieved Aaron and set the Yanks down in order.
In the third, the Yankees erupted again with back to back triples by Miller and Bullington and a scratch hit by Kelley who scored the third run on a passed ball.
Time ran out at the end of the fourth. Winning pitcher Jackie Frazier. Losing pitcher Claude Aaron.

Top Ten Thumpers: Joe Bullington, slugging catcher, pitcher for the Yanks, is still leading the league at the plate for the second half. Two newcomers have banged their way into the top ten, Jimmy Kelley of the Yanks and Jimmy Aaron of the Giants.
Joe Bullington, Yankees, .533; Bobby Smith, Red Sox, .500; Ray Granade, Red Sox, .500; Johnny Moseley, Red Sox, .500; Jimmy Weaver, Giants, .444; Eddie Lambert, Red Sox, .444; Bonner Ridgeway, Giants, .437; Jimmy Kelley, Yankees, .400; Jimmy Aaron, Giants, .312; and Leon Stinson, Dodgers, .308.

Monday Night Game Postponed: Rain postponed the Yankee, Red Sox game Monday night. This game will probably be played Saturday night. Thursday night most of the Evergreen Little Leaguers will be in Monroeville to see the start of the Little League Regional playoffs. All Star teams from Greenville, Brewton, Bay Minette, Jackson, Robertsdale and Monroeville will play to see who goes to the sectional playoff at Leeds, Ala.

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

Alabama Lodge No. 3 at Perdue Hill.

25 YEARS AGO
JULY 25, 1996

ASCC pins first nursing grads: The first graduates of the registered nursing program at Alabama Southern Community College participated in a pinning ceremony June 1. Thirty-eight graduates received their official school pin in a candle lighting ceremony, where they recited the Nightingale Pledge for nurses.
Nancy Smith, director of nursing at Monroe County Hospital, gave the ceremonial address to the graduates, reflecting on their importance at setting a standard for future nursing graduates.

Monroeville 14-year-olds finish second: Monroeville’s quest for the Babe Ruth Baseball state championship in the division for 14-year-olds came to an end Tuesday of last week when the all-stars suffered an 8-4 loss to Opp.
Opp’s victory avenged a loss to Monroeville in the finals of the tournament for 13-year-olds last year and propelled the team into the state tournament. As 13-year-olds last season, Monroeville’s all-stars won the state tournament and competed in the Southeast Regional tournament in North Carolina.
(Players on Monroeville’s 14-year-old all-star team in 1996 included Alvis Beasley, Brian Bickley, Terry Davis, Trenton Eager, Bart Galbraith, Taylor McCall, Darius McCarthy, Christopher McGraw, Aquanta Parker, Jamie Porterfield and Josh Wild. Frank McGraw was the team’s coach.)

Air Force Airman Arthur L. Middleton has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. Middleton is the son of Jearl G. and Virginia L. Middleton of Frisco City. He is a 1991 graduate of Excel School.

50 YEARS AGO
JULY 22, 1971

Mexia church near 60^th anniversary: Mexia Baptist Church will celebrate its 60^th anniversary July 25-Aug. 1.
On Sun., Aug. 1, homecoming services will be held with the Rev. William Hines, pastor of the First Baptist Church, Shelby, Ala., bringing the morning message. Rev. Hines is a former member of Mexia Baptist Church and was ordained by the church.
During the morning worship service on Homecoming Day the church will honor its only living charter member, Sullivan Brown. Also, Otis Smith will be honored for having the longest continuous Sunday school attendance record – 12 years. He missed one Sunday in 14 years.

Local Babe Ruth All-Stars near title: The Monroe County Babe Ruth League’s All-Star team defeated Atmore Tuesday night, bringing them closer to the area championship.
Pitcher Mike Cobb was credited with the 6-3 win. Leading hitters for the local All-Stars were Tim Pullen, Johnny Allred and Buddy Black.

Falling object injures worker at building site: A construction worker suffered a head injury Wednesday in an accident on a local bank building site.
S.C. Hays of Perdue Hill, an employee of Lazenby Electric Co., which is building the new Monroe County Bank, was hurt when a c-clamp fell from the second floor of the structure and bounced, striking him from behind, according to a spokesman for the company.
Hays reportedly was treated for a cut and released from Monroe County Hospital.

75 YEARS AGO
JULY 25, 1946

FIRST OPEN COTTON BOLL BROUGHT IN MONDAY: Mr. Albert Buroughs of Perdue Hill sent in an open boll of cotton to The Journal Monday, which he found in his field Sunday. He reports that cotton on his farm will soon be ready to pick and despite the numerous showers, cotton is looking good.

Monroe County High School’s team will resume football this fall with a full nine-game schedule for the first time since the beginning of the war.
(Players expected to play on the 1946 team included Thomas Andress, Glen Bayles, Curwood Belcher, Allen Biggs, Buster Brown, Bubber Farish, Cameron Grice, Charles Rayford Hendrix, Douglas Hendrix, Paul Hubbird, Bill Jay, Karl Kilpatrick, George Klepac, Jimmie Klepac, Bob Lindsey, Bill McMillon, David Miller Nettles, Max Primm, Bob Ryland, John Skipper, W.C. Taylor, Neal Terry, Bill Thompson and Tommie Watson.)

Bill Flanagan and Edwin Lee, students at Alabama Polytechnic Institute, spent the weekend with Mr. and Mrs. A.C. Lee.

Jimmie McDowell Injured By Car: Little Jimmie McDowell, son of Mr. and Mrs. Cecil McDowell, was seriously injured when he was struck by a car near his home about three miles south of Monroeville, Monday morning. He is said to have been running after his dog when the accident happened.

Simpson Addressed Voters Here Monday: Hon. Jim Simpson, one of the leading candidates for U.S. Senator in the current campaign, visited Monroeville on Monday of this week and spoke to a small crowd. It had been raining for about two hours before his arrival, and continued to rain throughout his speaking time, hence the crowd was not large.

100 YEARS AGO
JULY 28, 1921

COTTON OPENING: W.D. Youngblood of Uriah sent to this office last week the first boll of open cotton reported this season. Mr. Youngblood stated that the boll was plucked from his field on July 18, and that there was more open in the field. This is an unusually early date for cotton to begin opening and is probably due to the extremely hot and dry weather which prevailed for several weeks.

The finishing touches are being made on the M. Katz store. Mr. Katz will leave for the markets shortly to purchase his stock for the fall trade.

J.M. Dennis of Tunnel Springs was here Tuesday. Mr. Dennis is arranging to establish a real estate agency here, his object being to draw the attention of northern and western investors to the opportunities offered by our undeveloped southern farm lands.

Miss Rency Faulk died at her home near town on Monday night, July 25, aged 60 years. Miss Faulk had been confined to her room for several months with paralysis. Interment was made in the Baptist Cemetery Tuesday.

FIRST CAR SWEET POTATOES ROLLING: The first car shipment of sweet potatoes for this season rolled out of Excel this week. The potatoes were of fine quality and graded well. Shipments of early varieties are expected to run 25 cars or more during the season. This will not be bad for a beginning.

125 YEARS AGO
JULY 24, 1896

Cotton Opening: Mr. James T. Snow is the boss farmer of this section. The man who outstrips him will have to hustle. He was the first to report cotton blooms in the spring, and on yesterday he again broke the record by bringing to The Journal office two well matured open bolls of cotton. He says he had open cotton on the 15^th inst., and it is opening very rapidly in this hot weather. He will begin picking in a week or 10 days and will doubtless be the first to ship a new bale of the fleecy staple.

The Bear Creek Mill Co. has closed a deal by which they secure on large bodies of timbered lands in the vicinity of Monroeville. The company has already begun work on the extension of a branch railroad to give access to the timber. The road will reach a point within three miles of town.

The Masonic Conference for the First Congressional District will be held with Alabama Lodge No. 3, Perdue Hill, beginning on Tues., July 11, 1896. All lodges in the district are expected to participate.

Master Jno. Stallworth left Wednesday on his “bike” via Pineville to visit his old home at Bell’s Landing. John is becoming an accomplished wheelman.

The Journal is requested to announce that there will be a basket picnic at the Wiggins school house near Tekoa on Sat., July 25, 1896. Everybody cordially invited to attend.

The Ladies Aid Society of Hamilton Hill Baptist Church, of which Mrs. A.C. Hixon is president, will give an ice cream supper at the school house on Friday night, Aug. 14, 1896 for benevolent objects.

Old newspaper clipping tells of unusual Indian site, 'peculiar hieroglyphics' and 'very large' Indian mound in Wilcox County, Alabama

Dr. Eugene Allen Smith

Regular readers of this weekly column will know that I enjoy writing about anything related to the old Indians who once lived in our area long before the first white settlers arrived. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been interested in Indian mounds, arrowheads, spearpoints and other artifacts and relics. With that in mind, a reader this week sent me a clipping from a nearly 100-year-old newspaper that I found absolutely fascinating.

According to the Sept. 17, 1925 edition of The Wilcox Progressive Era, “Mr. W.P. Preston, who lives near Bellview, has discovered on his land two very striking rocks and has written Dr. Eugene Smith of Tuscaloosa about his find. Some time ago, there was a cave in of the land, exposing two flint rocks, one is about six to eight feet long, with top and sides and bottom perfectly smooth, with a hole through the center, four inches in diameter, extending within two feet of the end. Underneath the end where the hole stops are some kind of peculiar hieroglyphics. This rock probably weighs two tons. The other rock is nearby, is five or six feet long, tapering at each end, scooped out, in the exact shape of a skiff. Nearby is a very large Indian Mound, which has never been opened, and quantities of flint arrow heads are all around the surface of the ground.”

Digging deeper into the clues provided by this clipping, I believe W.P. Preston to be William Pinson Preston, who would have been 68 years old in September 1925. Preston died in 1939 and is buried in the Tait Cemetery, located west of Coy near the Alabama River. Those familiar with the Bellview community will know that it is located a few miles southeast of Coy, just north of the Wilcox-Monroe County line, not far from Hybart.

The Dr. Eugene Smith referenced in the article is most certainly Eugene Allen Smith, who served as Alabama’s state geologist for many years. Smith, who was 83 years old in 1925, was a longtime professor at the University of Alabama, and he also helped establish the Alabama Museum of Natural History. In fact, the building that houses the museum in Tuscaloosa is named “Smith Hall” in his honor.

Reading the descriptions of the “two very striking rocks” found by Preston, one is left to wonder if the rocks still remain where he found them. What was their purpose and how had they become buried? What caused the cave in and what did the hieroglyphics look like? Just how big was the “very large” mound and is it still undisturbed? What else, including possibly other large stones, remain buried at the site?

In the end, I’d like to hear from anyone in the reading audience who might have more information about these two unusual rocks and the nearby Indian mound. Can they still be seen today or were they destroyed at some point in the past? Any additional information about the stones and mound would be greatly appreciated, so please let me hear from you.

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

U.S. Senator Oscar W. Underwood

22 YEARS AGO
JULY 15, 1999

Board of Ed. looks for new alternative school location: As the summer passes by, the Monroe County Board of Education is still looking for a permanent location for its alternative school.
At its regular meeting Thursday of last week, the board learned its $225,000 bid on property at Drewry Road and Vanity Fair Drive has been turned down. Interim Superintendent Dennis Mixon said the owners have apparently decided not to sell the three commercial buildings.
The board will now try to put the school on property it owns next to Monroe County High School. The alternative school is currently in the old Monroeville Outlet Mall.

Monroeville pounded its way to the District 7 Babe Ruth all-star tournament championship for 15-year-olds Thursday with a 9-3 win over Atmore at Veterans Park in Monroeville. Monroeville cruised through the tournament, recording wins over Evergreen (16-6) and Atmore (9-4 and 9-3).
(Top players on Monroeville’s team included Mark Beasley, Russell Bryan, Ben Busby, Trey Dobson, Morgan Hutcherson, Bret Pate, Jeremy Reeves, David Steele and Jeff Wasden.)

The Monroeville Area Chamber of Commerce will be holding interviews for the 1999-2000 Mockingbird Court Tues., Aug. 17, beginning at 9 a.m. Mockingbird Court members serve as hostesses at official city and county functions and act as goodwill ambassadors for Monroeville and Monroe County.
(Members of the 1998-1999 court included Lisa Corbett, Jessica Sawyer, Belinda Tucker, Jennifer Turk, Danielle McQuieter, Jessica Averett, Mona Scruggs, Kelli Myers, Rachel Rich, Trishia Seales, Karyl Ann Hobbs and Taryn Kilpatrick.)

47 YEARS AGO
JULY 18, 1974

Firemen honor Pickens: Monroeville Volunteer Fire Chief Wilbert Pickens gets a plaque and a fishing reel Monday from fellow firemen honoring him for 35 years of service with the department. Pickens has been chief since about 1968. Making the presentation are Fire Capt. Glenn Gladwell and Assistant Fire Chief Eddie Everette.

South Monroe All-stars: The South Monroe County Little League All-Stars will travel to Butler tonight (Thursday) to meet Jackson in the opening round of the District 6 single-elimination tournament at eight o’clock. (Members of the team were Johnny McDonald, Tommy Watson, Jeff Blanton, Mitch Hammock, Jeff Tatum, Craig Smith, Jeff Brown, Chuck Black, Ted Watson, John Lindsey, Steve Calhoun, Jeff Nicholas, Jeff Kilpatrick and Charles Kofflinos. Grafton Coleman was the team’s manager, and Haywood Croley was coach.)

Officers of Masonic lodge: These men were installed last Thursday as officers of the Masons’ Alabama Lodge No. 3 of Monroeville. They are Tom Lemons, treasurer; Cecil White, senior warden; G.C. Ellis (Bill Sky), worshipful master; Robert Champion, junior warden; Alphis Wiggins, junior deacon; Woodrow Ikner, senior deacon; D.D. Mims II, secretary; Floyd Harper, marshall; Melvin Downs, chaplain; Clinton Ryland, tyler; Wilbert Pickens, senior steward; and Clyde Boulware, junior steward. The aprons worn in this picture have secret significance to Masons.

72 YEARS AGO
JULY 21, 1949

Pete Black of Beatrice recently purchased the Standard Service Station in Monroeville and took over its active operation Tuesday of this week.
Mr. Black is a former student at the University of Alabama. He is unmarried.
He will continue to live in Beatrice and commute between there and Monroeville.

Monroeville broke even in league games played last week, losing to State Farm last Thursday night, 9-6, and coming back to win over Perdido Tuesday night, 7-2.
Monroeville’s win over Perdido kept them in second place by a one-game margin. The locals now have a 13-8 won-loss record as compared with Perdido’s 11-3 record.

Shoe Store Here To Open Shortly: A tentative opening date of Aug. 5 has been set for Monroe County’s first shoe store.
Incorporated and with a number of local businessmen holding stock, the store will be located in the building which formerly housed the Jitney-Jungle grocery store on the west side of the square.
An X-Ray fitting machine will be a feature of the store, according to an announcement from Les Johnson, secretary-treasurer of the group. The “Family Shoe Store” has been chosen as the name for the enterprise, Mr. Johnson stated.

Establishment Of Agent Awaits Commitments: Definite commitments on the amount of shipping from this area will have to be made by local businessmen before a fulltime agent can be established at the West Monroeville railroad station. This information was contained in a letter to Sam Fleenor, local Chamber of Commerce secretary, from H.H. DeBerry of Memphis, superintendent of the St. Louis and San Francisco Railroad, who made a survey of Monroeville July 6 to consider the establishment of an agent here.

97 YEARS AGO
JULY 17, 1924

Mr. G.B. Sellers reports the first open boll of cotton this season, discovered on July 10. Mr. Sellers’ 50 or 60 acres promising a fine yield, there seems to be no good reason why he should not capture the usual prize for the first bale this year.

Rev. Grant Gafford, pastor of the Methodist congregation at Beatrice, was a visitor to Monroeville the first of the week. Mr. Gafford’s congregation have recently erected a comfortable parsonage at Beatrice at a cost of approximately $2,000, and his family are comfortably domiciled therein.

L.J. Bugg, Esq., returned Friday from New York where he had been for two weeks in attendance on the Democratic national convention. Mr. Bugg states that the Alabama delegation gave loyal and active support to Senator Underwood, but the odds were too strongly against him.

Mr. W.T. Davison of Bay Minette was a visitor to Monroeville last week. Mr. Davison removed from this place to Baldwin County more than 50 years ago, but had not revisited the old town for many years, hence there are few people now living in the community whom he remembers.

Mr. O.M. Cook of Burnt Corn, who has followed the Auburn Method with his cotton crop, using the home mixed fertilizer of acid, soda and potash, left his cotton thick and is poisoning. He has one of the best crops in the county.

121 YEARS AGO
JULY 19, 1900

Representatives of a number of the Masonic Lodges of the county met in the hall of Monroeville Lodge last Friday for the purpose of reviving the Conference or Association organized some years ago. The attendance was not as large as expected on account of the weather, notwithstanding, the occasion was not void of pleasure and profit to those present. It was determined to hold quarterly meetings hereafter. After appointing officers and committees, the Conference adjourned to meet with Enon Lodge at Hollinger on Thursday evening before the third Sunday in September, when it is hoped there will be a full attendance.

S.A. McDuffie has been appointed postmaster at Monroeville, vice J.S. Harrengton, resigned. Thus it will be seen that Monroeville is to have a Republican postmaster for the first time in her history. Not even in the days of Reconstruction was such an appointment forced upon this Democratic community.

Mr. William M. Gaillard of the firm of Hearin & Gaillard, cotton factors, of the Gulf City, was here this week circulating among his many friends. Mr. Gaillard is a native of this county, having been reared at Claiborne, but this is the first visit he has made to the old home in 25 years, so closely has his business confined him to the city, and he noted many changes in the familiar scene of his childhood. His friends are glad to know that his house is rapidly building up a prosperous and lucrative business among the merchants and farmers of the district.

Col. B.L. Hibbard went to Thomasville Monday in response to an invitation to deliver an address on the 18^th inst. on the political issues of the day. Mrs. Hibbard bore him company to Mobile where she will visit friends.

Early Monroe County, Alabama settler John Frye homesteaded along the bottomlands of Flat Creek

George Buster Singleton

(For decades, local historian and paranormal investigator George “Buster” Singleton published a weekly newspaper column called “Somewhere in Time.” The column below, which was titled “In early 1800s, Frye settled near Flat Creek” was originally published in the July 31, 1975 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

John Frye was a young man who came to Monroe County as a settler in the early 1800s. He bought and homesteaded land north of what is now Ridge Road. Here, along the bottom lands of Flat Creek, he built a home.

All the land that was level enough to farm was cultivated into growing cotton and the many other things that were needed for the early settler to survive.

If you look closely, you can see where the fields stretched wide along the edges of the hills that border the flat area that has come to be known as the Frye Swamp.

Oaks and flowers

Little remains of the old homeplace except a couple of tall oaks that once shaded the house. And if you look closely enough, you will see the faint traces of a flower bed and a few jonquils growing at random along where the old walkway led up to the house.

There was a time when all of the fine farming area was in full view of anyone who wished to gaze upon if from in front of the house.

In locating the area where the barn stood, I used a metal detector. Within a few minutes, I began to uncover old horseshoes, harness buckles and the old square nails that were used during this period when John Frye built his home.

Nothing remains of the old public road that once ran by the door. Only the faint traces of tall, worn banks can be seen and this only in places where the wagon tires cut deep into the clay dirt.

Into oblivion

The areas where once there were a house and barns are now crowded with tall, slender pine trees. Almost all traces of what used to be a fine, productive farm have passed into oblivion.

The only reminder of an era that has passed with the years is the huge granite marker in the small graveyard west of where the house stood.

Here, surrounded by a rustic iron fence, are the graves of John Frye and his family. Here he sleeps, in death, as in life, a part of the land he clung to and loved so dearly.

(Singleton, the author of the 1991 book “Of Foxfire and Phantom Soldiers,” passed away at the age of 79 on July 19, 2007. A longtime resident of Monroeville, he was born to Vincent William Singleton and Frances Cornelia Faile Singleton, during a late-night thunderstorm, on Dec. 14, 1927 in Marengo County, graduated from Sweet Water High School in 1946, served as a U.S. Marine paratrooper in the Korean War, worked as a riverboat deckhand, lived for a time among Apache Indians, moved to Monroe County on June 28, 1964 and served as the administrator of the Monroeville National Guard unit from June 28, 1964 to Dec. 14, 1987. He was promoted from the enlisted ranks to warrant officer in May 1972. For years, Singleton’s columns, titled “Monroe County history – Did you know?” and “Somewhere in Time” appeared in The Monroe Journal, and he wrote a lengthy series of articles about Monroe County that appeared in Alabama Life magazine. It’s believed that his first column appeared in the March 25, 1971 edition of The Monroe Journal. He also helped organize the Monroe County Museum and Historical Society and was also a past president of that organization. He is buried in Pineville Cemetery in Monroeville. The column above and all of Singleton’s other columns are available to the public through the microfilm records at the Monroe County Public Library in Monroeville. Singleton’s columns are presented here each week for research and scholarship purposes and as part of an effort to keep his work and memory alive.)

Which of Wilcox County, Alabama's antebellum structures is the oldest building in the entire county?

Dunn-Fairley-Bonner-Field House in 1937.

I read an interesting article the other day about the oldest building in each of the 50 states. According to that article, the Joel Eddins House is the oldest building in Alabama. Currently located in Huntsville, this two-story log cabin was built by Eddins in 1810.

Sources say that this cabin was originally built in the Town of Ardmore in Limestone County. However, in 2007, as part of preservation efforts, the cabin was “painstakingly pulled apart” and then reassembled at the “Burritt on the Mountain” living history museum in Huntsville. This museum was established in 1955 and is located on Round Top Mountain, east of downtown Huntsville.

While reading about the Joel Eddins House, I could not help but wonder about the oldest building in Wilcox County. Wilcox County is blessed with many well-preserved, antebellum houses, churches, schools and public buildings. Question is, which is the oldest?

Most sources say that the Dunn-Fairley-Bonner-Field House in Camden is the oldest documented building in Camden. Located near the intersection of Broad Street and Clifton Street, this house was built by early Wilcox County settler Thomas Dunn around 1825. This house is so old that it’s even older than Camden itself. In fact, when it was built Camden was actually still known as Barboursville.

Close on the heels of that structure is Gaines Ridge. This old house, which now houses one of the finest restaurants in Alabama, was built around 1827. This (supposedly haunted!) house is so old that no one is 100-percent sure who exactly built it, but one of its earliest owners was Methodist minister Ebeneezer Hearn.

Out in the county, the oldest building that I know of is the old Dry Fork Plantation House, which is located near Gulletts Bluff. This house was built between 1832 and 1834 by owner James Asbury Tait, and some sources say that most of the work was done by a pair of slaves named Elijah and Hezekiah. Tait, a Georgia native who served as a captain in the War of 1812, as well as his father, U.S. Senator Charles Tait, are both buried at Dry Forks.

In addition to Dry Fork, Gaines Ridge and Thomas Dunn’s old house, there is a long list of other antebellum structures throughout the county. Those include a number of buildings at Furman, Pine Apple, Canton Bend and Pebble Hill. Some of the other older structures in Camden include the Dale Masonic Lodge, the Wilcox Female Institute and the Old Wilcox County Courthouse.

One of the reasons that there aren’t more old buildings in Camden is due to a large fire that occurred downtown in 1869, when most buildings were made entirely from wood. Sources say that during that fire, every store in Camden was burned, and Camden suffered a severe setback in its progress. One of the few buildings to escape the blaze was the old Wilcox Hotel, which was built in 1847.

Street-widening projects in Camden over the years have also resulted in the destruction of old buildings. By way of example, the old J.M. Watson Store was demolished in 1959, so that the city fathers could widen Claiborne Street. At that time, this old store served as a warehouse, and it was one of the oldest buildings in Camden, well over 100 years old.

In the end, let me hear from you if you have any additional information about the origins of any of the buildings mentioned above. Also, if you know of a building older than those mentioned above, please let me know. It’s possible that there’s an older, lesser-known, building in the county that deserves the title of oldest building in Wilcox County.

What were the mysterious 'metal shavings' found in a Conecuh County, Alabama pond in 1952?

Fighter plane deploying chaff as countermeasure.

I was looking through some old editions of The Evergreen Courant the other day and ran across a short, unusual news item that I thought was interesting. The item appeared in Bob Bozeman’s weekly column, “The Week’s Wash,” that ran in the Sept. 4, 1952 edition of The Courant. It read as follows:

“The flying saucers must not operate in our area or at least no one that I’ve heard of has seen any. Walter Overby came in with something a little unusual last week, tho’. He had several pieces of what looked like metal shavings. Said he found thousands of them floating on his fish pond and a few in the water. I still don’t know what they were, but they must have been something dropped from a plane.”

Those of you who remember Bob Bozeman, the father of present-day Courant publisher Robert Bozeman, will remember that he was a highly-respected newspaperman, who was later inducted into the Alabama Press Association’s Hall of Honor. Bob, who passed away in 1991, was also a decorated U.S. Marine, who was wounded in action in the Pacific during World War II. I make mention of all this to show that he was a man who’d been around the block a time or two and was familiar with different types of military equipment.

Despite my best efforts, I could not find out much about Walter Overby, but Robert Bozeman remembers him well. Robert said that Overby lived in the Brooklyn area and was a veteran slightly younger than Bob. Overby was also apparently a Freemason and would sometimes attend meetings of the Alabama Grand Lodge in Montgomery.

Based on what I could find out, I believe Overby’s fish pond to be the pond that he built in 1947, not long after the end of WWII. In the Sept. 11, 1947 edition of The Courant, it was reported that Overby had “cleared the site for his farm fish pond and is now completing the dam.” Apparently, this pond was about three acres in size, but exactly where this pond was located, I do not know.

Based on Bob’s short report, Overby had several pieces of the shavings to display, and they were apparently light enough to float on the surface of the pond. A close reading of the report indicates that some of the shavings were “in the water,” that is, below the surface. It would be interesting to know how big they were and how thin they were.

Bob’s description of the metal shavings reminded me of the chaff that is sometimes ejected by military aircraft as a countermeasure. These thin strips of metal show up on enemy radar as a bunch of different targets. In theory, during all the confusion, the friendly aircraft will have time to escape from the bad guy.

Question is, if the metal at Overby’s pond was chaff from a military aircraft, why was it ejected in the vicinity of a pond in Conecuh County? Was it part of some kind of Cold War training exercise or is there some other explanation? Maybe it was something top secret?

In the end, let me hear from you if you know anything more about this incident. I would be especially interested to know where Overby’s pond was located or if any of these shavings still exist for examination. Perhaps with the right amount of information, we might be able to solve this 68-year-old mystery.

Wilcox County, Alabama News Flashback for July 14, 2021

62 YEARS AGO
JULY 9, 1959

Fall From Truck Kills Boy: Wilcox Sheriff P.C. Jenkins said Rufus George Jr., a teenager, was driving when his 11-year-old brother, John Henry George, fell from the rear of his father’s truck and his head was crushed under the wheels.
Death was almost instantaneous.
Sheriff Jenkins said Rufus Jr. drove the truck away from home to a spring about one-half mile away for water without the consent of his father. As he left home, several of his littler brothers jumped on the truck to go along for the ride, John Henry fell off on the return trip and was killed.

McIntosh Training At Fort Jackson: Pvt. Barney R. McIntosh, son of Mr. and Mrs. Barney E. McIntosh of Route 2, Camden, has been assigned to Co. A, 4^th Battalion, 1^st Training Regiment at Fort Jackson, S.C. for eight weeks of basic combat training.

Lt. Ausley In Mock Assault: Scheduled to participate in Operation Inland Seas as a pilot with Marine Attack Squadron 224 is Marine 1^st Lt. Wilbur H. Ausley, son of Mr. and Mrs. L.H. Ausley of Samson, Ala., and husband of the former Miss Margaret R. Kennedy of Camden.
Before entering the service in August 1954, he attended the University of Alabama.
His squadron is a unit of the second Marine Aircraft Wing based at the Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, N.C.
It will provide air support for ground troops in mock assault landings, starting July 4, on five Great Lake cities, including Chicago, Ill.; Milwaukee, Wis.; Cleveland, Ohio; Erie, Pa. and Rochester, N.Y.

75 YEARS AGO
JULY 11, 1946

J.I. DAVIS: Mr. J.I. Davis, 73, a well known Wilcox citizen, died in King’s Memorial Hospital, Wednesday, June 26, at 9 p.m. He had been confined to his bed at his home in Fatama since suffering a cerebral hemorrhage in late March.
He was born near Monroeville but in early boyhood his parents moved to Wilcox. In 1894, he was wed to Miss Ella Majors, daughter of Rev. and Mrs. Platt Majors, and came to Fatama to make that his home. Five children blessed this union, four of whom survive him.
Mr. Davis was a loyal member of the Enon Baptist Church and served as a deacon of that church for nearly a quarter of a century. He was known in his community as a firm supporter of those things component to a Christian home, life and community.

Mrs. L.P. Andrews and children, Hays, Bettye Lou and Henri, have returned home after a trip to Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee, they spent a few days at Camp Campbell, Ky., with Lt. Parker Andrews and Mrs. Andrews, then at Fort Knox with Pvt. Jim Andrews, while in Kentucky they visited the Mammoth Cave, also the famous race track at Churchill Downs.

CARD OF THANKS: We wish to thank our many friends for their efforts in trying to save our home when it was destroyed by fire. We also wish to express our appreciation for the many gifts and donations given to us. – Mr. and Mrs. Robert McCants and Children.

88 YEARS AGO
JULY 13, 1933

Prof. Wm. M. Bryant of Canton dined with Prof. Emmett Kilpatrick Tuesday.

Mr. B.H. Matthews is attending the Hardware Convention in Atlanta this week. Mr. Matthews is Vice President of this organization.

Dr. J.A. Powers, registered optometrist, of Birmingham will be at Dr. W.W. Moore’s Drug Store Tuesday, July 18. Glasses fitted and free advice.

HOMECOMING DAY to be observed at Reaves Chapel on the third Sunday in July. Rev. F.L. Aldridge, Supt. of the Alabama Methodist Orphanage at Selma, Ala, will preach the Home-Coming sermon at 11 a.m. There will be dinner on the grounds. The Presiding Elder will hold the Third Quarterly Conference after dinner. Everybody cordially invited. – J. Thos. Eckford, Pastor.

Lower Peach Tree News: Mrs. Martha Thompson, Mrs. Margaret Thompson and Miss Lucy Stabler have returned from a visit with relatives and friends in Birmingham. While absent, Miss Thompson attended the fair in Chicago.

Arlington News: Those from here who attended the fox hunters barbecue at Orrville Tuesday were Mrs. S.C. Nettles and son Bill, Dumas Raines and Gilmer Agee.

NOTICE: I have in my possession one large black and tan hound, name on collar M. Lillis, Union City. Owner may get dog by paying expenses. – Geo. Alford, Camden, Ala.

101 YEARS AGO
JULY 8, 1920

Mr. B.H. Matthews returned Tuesday from an extended trip to New York, where he attended a hardware convention, later visiting points of interest in other sections.

Primm Residence Burned: The home of Mr. Jack Primm of Canton Bend was destroyed by fire on Wednesday afternoon. The fire originated from a defective flue. Practically all the household goods were destroyed.

Progress is being made on the building projects of Camden. The residence of Dr. Bonner recently destroyed by fire is rapidly proceeding. The new brick garage building being erected by Mr. Laughlin of Monroeville is being pushed. A new building for a movie picture auditorium is being erected by Mr. T.N. Baggett.

The construction of the Arlington school building, under the supervision of D.W. Godwin, has been completed and presents a good appearance. The cost was in the neighborhood of $10,000 and will accommodate six classes. The building is now ready for inspection and acceptance by the building committee.

CAMDEN 4, SELMA 0: In the cleanest and best game of the season, Camden defeated the fast team from Selma by the score of 4 to 0. The visitors played a good fast game and never once questioned a decision of the umpire. Such teams as this will help baseball to grow and be popular.
Casey for Camden pitched a good game and allowed only three safe hits. Berry featured at second base with a good catch and also hit good in the pinches.

114 YEARS AGO
JULY 11, 1907

SNOW HILL: Mr. Jay McCondicher, one of Furman’s oldest and most highly respected citizens, was circulating among his many Snow Hill friends today. Mr. McCondicher is a descendant of one of the pioneer settlers of East Wilcox.
Dr. Leatherwood of Braggs, Lowndes County, has located at Snow Hill and will occupy the office built by R.O. Simpson & Son several years ago, for Dr. Huestis, Jones. We welcome the doctor to our town.

Prof. Claude Hardy, who has been selected as principal of the Camden public school, was in town a few days ago, and announced the following assistant teachers selected by him for the next session, viz: Miss Lillian Young of Selma, Miss Annie O’Hara of Auburn and Miss Ella May Moor of Selma. One more assistant teacher is yet to be supplied before the before the faculty is complete.

Mr. W.F. Spurlin left Monday for Demopolis, where he will spend several weeks visiting his son and other relatives. Mr. Spurlin is in his 83^rd year, but is about as spry as any man in Camden. He has recently returned from a visit to the northwest, taking in the Jamestown exposition on his return.

The Board of Pension Commissioners for Wilcox County, which consists of Col. W.W. McConico and Dr. J.C. Benson, met in Camden Monday and will remain in session 10 days.

Mr. W.E. Ward, the well known contractor, of Pine Apple was here this week. He has just completed several large buildings at Repton.

The Evergreen Courant's News Flashback for July 13, 2021

Jeremiah Denton

22 YEARS AGO
JULY 8, 1999

The Maxwell-Johnson House, located at 120 South Main St., Evergreen, has recently been added to the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage.

Local weather reporter Harry Ellis reported .15 inches of rain on July 4, 1999. Total rainfall for the month of June 1999 was 10.13 inches. He reported a high of 93 on July 1, 1999 and a low of 70 on July 4, 1999.

Funeral services held for C.T. Ivey: Charles Thaddeus Ivey, 93, of Evergreen died Sat., July 3, 1999 in an Evergreen hospital. Mr. Ivey was born Sept. 29, 1905 to William Burnett Ivey and Julia Daughdrill Ivey. He was named for his two grandfathers, Charles Ivey of Conecuh County and Thaddeus Daughdrill of Marion.
Mr. Ivey attended the public schools in Evergreen and was a graduate of Howard College, now Samford University. Mr. Ivey was an automobile dealer and tree farmer in Evergreen most of his life. He was very active in civic affairs and was a deacon at the Evergreen Baptist Church.

On Saturday morning, June 19, eight members of Bower Memorial Baptist Church joined in with 63 others in the Bethlehem Association in Monroe County on a week’s mission trip to Monticello, Ky. to help build a new church for the Steubenville Baptist Church.
The eight people who went on the mission trip to Monticello, Ky. from Bower were Warren and Lottie Johnston, Rodger and Laura Carroll, Travis Cobb, Betty Powell and Geraldine and Hughie Denton.

37 YEARS AGO
JULY 12, 1984

Local weather reporter Earl Windham reported 1.11 inches of rain on July 7, 1984. He reported a high of 94 on July 7, 1984 and a low of 66 on July 2, 1984.

Pat Poole romped to an easy victory in Tuesday’s voting for mayor in Evergreen. Poole had wide margins in all five council districts as he piled up 945 votes to easily defeat Mayor Lee Smith and W.B. Epperson.

U.S. Senator Jeremiah Denton of Mobile will hold a town meeting in Evergreen on Monday afternoon at 4:15 o’clock. The meeting will be held in the main courtroom of the County Courthouse.

Brooklyn O.E.S. Chapter elects officers 1984-85: Brooklyn Chapter 470 has elected officers for the 1984-1985 year. They are as follows: Worthy Matron, Marjorie Findley; Worthy Patron, Joe Findley; Associate Matron, Faye Owens; Associate Patron, Lamar Owens; Conductress, Vivian Lassiter; Associate Conductress, Wanda Andrews; Secretary, Eleanor Cary; Treasurer, Eva Walters; Organist, Adele Amos; Chaplain, Elsie Rabren; Marshal, Dudley Lassiter; Adah, Louise McLendon; Ruth, Juanita Ralls; Esther, Lillian Ramsey; Martha, Carolyn Feagin; Electa, Callie Mae Murphy; Warder, Horace Murphy; and Sentinel, Monroe Ramsey.
There will be an installation of these officers at the Brooklyn Lodge on Sat., July 14, at 7:30 p.m. Friends are invited to come.

46 YEARS AGO
JULY 10, 1975

Weather observer Earl Windham reported 1.3 inches of rain in Evergreen on July 3 and .7 inches on July 6. He reported a high of 98 on July 4 and lows of 71 on July 1 and July 6.

The summer reading program of the Conecuh County Public Library will be highlighted by a visit next Wednesday by Mrs. Kathryn Windham, noted Alabama author.
Mrs. Windham will be at the library from 10 to 11 o’clock Wednesday morning to tell some of her favorite ghost stories. She has compiled and written several collections of Alabama ghost stories, which had been handed down from generation to generation.
(Clara Trawick was Evergreen’s librarian at the time.)

Banker-farmer Tal Stuart III killed this big rattlesnake while working in the “Brassell Field” of the Newton Plantation on Tuesday afternoon of last week. The rattler measured 4-1/2 feet and had eight rattles and a button.

A Milton, Fla. woman lost her life in an accident Monday morning at about 11:30 on I-65 some 7-1/2 miles north of Evergreen. Mrs. Norma H. Redmond, 42, of Rt. 5, Milton, was killed and her husband and son were injured in the crash. The Redmonds were traveling north in a pickup pulling a camper trailer behind them when a tire blew out and control of the vehicle was lost. The truck and camper left the highway and overturned in the median. State Trooper John E. Hooper investigated the accident.

69 YEARS AGO
JULY 10, 1952

Repton Doctor’s Safe Cracked Sunday Night Robbers Net Nothing: Two safe crackers went to a lot of trouble for nothing Sunday night when they opened Dr. W.R. Carter’s safe in Repton. After prying open the double-doored safe, the robbers found a strong box inside that they could not open. Dr. Carter told Sheriff John Brock that if there was anything missing he couldn’t tell it.
Two men were seen leaving Dr. Carter’s office Sunday night between nine and 10 o’clock. Two Repton men saw these fellows leaving the office and at the time thought their behavior suspicious.

The Evergreen City Council met Tuesday night at the City Hall with nothing but routine business coming before them.
Two building permits were granted for the construction of residences. George T. Robbins received a permit for the construction of a frame residence in his Pine Woods subdivision. Earl Windham was granted a permit for the construction of a residence on Salter Street, between the Barlow and Shell residences.

Cpl. James G. Freeman, son of Mr. and Mrs. J.B. Freeman, of the Old Town community, sailed June 2, 1952 for overseas duty in Korea with the Engineer’s Division.

O.B. Tuggle, Southern Coach executive, will take office today as President of the Evergreen Rotary Club. He succeeds Malcom Croft who will turn the gavel over to him at the noon meeting of the Rotarians at The Grill today.

94 YEARS AGO
JULY 14, 1927

Former Evergreen Boy Bound For China: San Diego, Calif., July 11 – Some of the interesting events now occurring in China are likely to be witnessed by Lewis A. Barfield of Evergreen, who was one of the latest men to leave this western base for service with the expeditionary force of U.S. Marines at Shanghai.
He was with a detachment of Marines who embarked on the transport Thomas with Shanghai as their destination. Due to the rapid shifting of troops, however, the local Marine may eventually go to Tientsin or some other point in China, where the Marines are guarding American lives and interests.
Three or four thousand U.S. Marines have been ordered to China since last February, and from time to time small detachments are likely to be ordered there, remaining for an indefinite period.
Lewis is 22 years old and was born in Evergreen. He lived at the home of his father, Arthur M. Barfield of Evergreen, before he joined the Marine Corps last April.

Local National Guard Goes To Ft. Oglethorpe: Troop C, 55^th Machine Gun Squadron of the Alabama National Guard, will leave the latter part of the week for Ft. Oglethorpe, Ga., where the annual encampment will take place this year. The boys will be there for a period of 15 days. The local company is under the command of Capt. William D. (Dave) Lewis.

The Evergreen Courant's Sports Flashback for July 12, 2021

13 YEARS AGO
JULY 10, 2008

Conecuh County native Shirl Johnson is helping to introduce a new era of women’s basketball to hoops fans in northeast Florida.
Johnson, the daughter of Annie C. Johnson of Belleville and the late George W. Johnson, is the owner of the Jacksonville (Fla.) Cougars, a new expansion team in the semi-professional Women’s Blue Chip Basketball League.

Evergreen’s 14- and-15-year-old Babe Ruth all-star team is scheduled to take the field in this year’s district tournament today in Atmore, tournament organizer Murray Johnson of Atmore said.
Members of this year’s 14- and 15-year-old all-star team are Jeremy Ealum, Terrance Lyons, Tevin Buchanan, Warren Lowery, Trevin Fluker, Stephanie Martin, Jared Dees, Tevin Rudolph, Quenton Simpson and Anthony Steen. Coaches are Earnest Boykin, Michael Bradley, Bryan Boykin and Jackie Gorum.

Evergreen’s 11- and 12-year-old Little League all-star team opened tournament play Saturday on the YMCA athletic fields in Brewton.
The members of Evergreen’s 11- and 12-year-old all-star team are Kristen Booker, Taylor Chavers, LaBarron Dees, Drew Hardin, Jacob Hendrix, Patrick Johnson, Kyantrae Lewis, Quinton North, Trent Pettis, Keyshawn Roache, Ryan Skinner, Allen Stuart and Brandon Taylor. John Skinner is the team’s manager, and Paul Hamby is the team’s coach.

22 YEARS AGO
JULY 8, 1999

HHS Physicals: Hillcrest High School physicals will be given Thurs., July 22, 1999 at 8 a.m. at Dr. Mark Roberts office. Any athlete that will be participating in any sport at Hillcrest should be there at this time. Athletes should contact Coach Hudson at the high school for paperwork.

Evergreen Football Sign-Up: The Evergreen Jaguar Tiny Mite and Pee Wee football team will have sign-ups on Sat., July 10, (1999) at Carver Recreation Center from 9 a.m. until 12 noon. Any kids age 8 to 13 years old are eligible. There are no boundaries this year, you can play with any county team.

Castleberry Football Sign-Up: Castleberry football sign-up for ages 7-13 will be held Sat., July 10, (1999) from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., $25 sign-up fee and a copy of the child’s birth certificate are needed. For more information, call Glen Gary.

37 YEARS AGO
JULY 12, 1984

These are the members of the Evergreen Little League All-Stars: Richard Melton, Keith Richardson, Broderick Gross, Bryan Garrett, Ryan Burt, Mickey Jones and Michael Floyd; Kevin Townson, Jamie Deason, Greg Stanton, Jamie Shipp, Scott Jones, Richard Byrd and Kenny Meeks, and Coaches Willie Byrd and Earnest Boykin.

52 YEARS AGO
JULY 10, 1969

Joe Brown successfully defended his championship in the Evergreen Golf Club’s annual club tournament, limited to members, held July 4. Joe had to get by two extra hole matches with Brown Boykin and Henry Kinzer to enter the finals where he defeated Bill Kitchens.
Results by flights listing winner, runner-up and consolation winner follow:
Championship, Joe Brown, Bill Kitchens and Brown Boykin.
First Flight, Joe Nix, Benny Crum, Charles Lambert.
Second Flight, Randy Moorer, Bonnie King, Bob Smiley.
Third Flight, Eddie Thornley, Johnny Thornley, James Ansley.
Fourth Flight, Quinton Buras, Danny Petrey, Buddy Coleman.

67 YEARS AGO
JULY 8, 1954

A city softball league is in the process of organizing according to Recreation Director Bill Parsons. The league will probably have six teams and games will be played at night. The league is sponsored by the City Recreation Department and games will be played in Brooks Stadium.
Coach Parsons states that so far five organizations have agreed to sponsor teams. Alma Martin Post 50 of the American Legion, Evergreen Junior Chamber of Commerce, Evergreen Equipment Co., The Spotlite and Southern Coach Manufacturing Co., Inc. have all agreed to enter teams.

A handicap tournament has been planned by the Evergreen Golf Club it is announced today by newly elected President C.T. Ivey. Mr. Ivey succeeded L.W. Price Jr. as head of the local golfer’s organization. Mr. Price had served as president for several years.
To qualify for the tournament players should turn in their entry fee and post the score they usually shoot by noon, Monday, July 19, to any member of the tournament committee or at The Courant office. Committee members are Herman Bolden, G.L. Wilkinson, Bill Gibbons, J.H. Robison, P.L. Pace and Bob Bozeman. This committee will set handicaps from the scores turned in.

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

20 YEARS AGO
JULY 12, 2001

Test run: Rocky Creek Lumber Co., Inc. at Mexboro took its first load of wood Monday afternoon. The timber will be used for a test run in the manufacture of specialty timbers. Jerry Middleton, procurement manager, and John McGowin, owner of McGowin Logging, prepare to test the equipment on the logs.

South Monroe wins Babe Ruth title: South Monroe’s 14-year-olds captured the Babe Ruth baseball District 7 championship Sunday, beating Atmore 4-3 in eight innings at Tom Byrne Park in Atmore.
(Players on the South Monroe team included Brian Barlow, Jason Black, Kurt Black, Neal Butler, Chris Butts, Kyle Dorriety, Oary Gaston, Pete Glass, Brian House, Seth Mack, Cory Nall, Michael Norris, Chad Smith, Blake White and Chris Wiggins. Bruce White was the team’s manager, and coaches included Chuck Black and Gary Gaston.)

Trees for the bypass: The City of Monroeville and the Monroeville Tree Board joined together to plant 25 Drake Elm trees along the Highway 21 Bypass last week. The trees were purchased through a grant obtained by the city. In the photo, city employee Michael Tuberville, Boy Scouts Cole Martin, Richard Martin and Adam Nicholas, city employee Connie Matthews and Alabama Southern Community College Forester Rick Dorrance plant the first tree. K.T. Owens, president of the Tree Board, said a total of 50 trees were purchased. She said another 25 could possibly be planted near the Monroe County Hospital in the future.

45 YEARS AGO
JULY 8, 1976

Two schools combined: The Monroe County Board of Education voted yesterday to consolidate Greer Elementary School at Tunnel Springs with Beatrice Elementary School in Beatrice.
Greer Elementary principal Leon Stallworth was named principal of Beatrice Elementary, replacing Charles McNeil who last week was appointed Frisco City High principal.
Schools Supt. James Allen said the decision to consolidate the two schools was made in an effort to provide a better quality education for the students at Greer Elementary – a library, gymnasium, a better lunchroom and more playground area are some of the facilities available at Beatrice Elementary.

South Monroe Babe Ruth champs: Frisco City took the South Monroe Babe Ruth title recently, ending their season with a 10-2 record. (Members of the team were Thomas Agee Jr., Bryan Baggett, Sammie Carter, Dennis Curry, Ron Eddins, Millford Hill, Mitch Jones, O’Neal Jordan, Bill King, Mathew McMean, Randall Norris, Frank Starr, Michael Stevens, Greg Tatum and Jeff Tatum. Julius Lambert was the team’s coach.)

Sawyer paintings exhibited at bank: Artwork by Miss Lillion Sawyer of Frisco City is the featured exhibit for the month of July at the First National Bank in downtown Monroeville.
Miss Sawyer, who is retired, says she “never painted or drew a straight line until 1975.” The former director of the Monroe County Pensions and Security Department has been taking oil painting lessons from Patrick Henry State Junior College community art instructor, Mrs. Joyce Wesley.

70 YEARS AGO
JULY 12, 1951

Major Edwin C. Lee, 31-year-old Monroeville resident, died suddenly early today (Thursday) in his quarters at Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery.
Major Lee was a member of the Air Force Reserve, having only recently been called back into active duty. His body was discovered around nine o’clock this morning by officers who shared his quarters.
He was the son of Mr. A.C. Lee and the late Mrs. Lee of Monroeville. Other survivors include his widow, Mrs. Sara Anne Lee; one son, Edwin C. Jr.; one daughter, Molly McCall, all of Monroeville; and three sisters, Miss Alice Lee of Monroeville; Miss Nell Lee of New York City; and Mrs. Hershel Connor of Eufaula.

Seven Monroeville players were included in the lineup of the Florida-Alabama League all-star team which selected by League officials this week.
Tunney Cardwell, local southpaw, will be starting pitcher for the game, while Chandler, Monroeville catcher, will also be a starter for the all-stars. Glen Scott, righthander, has been chosen as an alternate pitcher. Other local players given positions on the team are Stevens, left field; Weaver, third base; Johnson, shortstop; and Riley, alternate infielder. Coaches will be Manager Hanks of Monroeville and Vickery of Atmore.

Funeral services for Pvt. Charles R. Hendrix, 19, 21^st U.S. Army Infantry, were held from the Shiloh Church, Frisco City, Monday afternoon with the Rev. W.J. Singleton of Pensacola officiating. Pvt. Hendrix, one of the first of Monroe County’s casualties in the Korean conflict, was killed in action July 5, 1950.

95 YEARS AGO
JULY 8, 1926

MASONIC CONFERENCE: The next session of the Monroe County Masonic Conference will be held with Beatrice Lodge, Beatrice, Ala. at 9:30 on Wednesday and Thursday, July 14-15, 1926. Mr. J.W. Thurmond of Castleberry will be the Lecturer. A public address on Masonry will be delivered on Thursday at 11 a.m. by some good speaker. Let every Lodge in the county be represented. – W.S. Nash.

Mr. Frank Boone and son were up from Uriah Tuesday. The peach harvest is now in progress at Uriah and everybody busy. From five to seven cars per day are being loaded.

Mr. G.W. Castillow, an esteemed subscriber at Goodway, was at the county capital Tuesday and reported crops flourishing in his neighborhood.

PUBLIC SPEAKING: Judge Leon McCord, campaign manager for Judge James J. Mayfield, candidate for the United States Senate, will address the citizens of Monroe County at the following times and places: Monroeville, Fri., July 9, 8 p.m.; Excel, Sat., July 10, 10 a.m.; and Jones Mill, Sat., July 10, 3 p.m.
Judge McCord is one of the ablest and most eloquent speakers in the state. Everybody, the ladies especially, are cordially invited.

Hon. Archie Carmichael delivered an address in Monroeville on Friday night, presenting his claims to the Democratic nomination for governor, speaking to a large and attentive audience.
The address was largely a review of his public life and activities and a discussion of the policies outlined in his announced platform.

120 YEARS AGO
JULY 11, 1901

D.L. NEVILLE SHOT: Last Saturday afternoon, D.L. Neville was shot and seriously wounded by Sheriff J.S. Harrengton.
Neville had been drinking heavily and appeared on the streets flourishing his pistol in a threatening manner and was otherwise disorderly. Friends tried vainly to quiet him and finally the sheriff was appealed to. Anticipating trouble with the young man who is unreasonable at times when under the influence of liquor, the sheriff armed himself and attempted to arrest him, commanding him repeatedly to put down his pistol. Neville ran into the livery stable office and shots were exchanged, the sheriff firing twice and Neville once. Neville’s shot passed through Mr. Harrengton’s hat brim, narrowly missing his head. The sheriff’s second shot took effect in Mr. Neville’s right hand and upper arm, his hand being raised to fire a second time.

Monroe Lodge No. 485 elected the following officers for the ensuing year: A.J. McKinley, Worshipful Master; A.P. Majors, Senior Warden; T.G. Reynolds, Junior Warden; M. Green, Treasurer; R. Perry, Secretary; J.D. McKinley, Senior Deacon; W.R. Black, Junior Deacon; Jackson McKinley, Tyler; I.S. Ridgeway, Chaplain; and J.F. Rowell and G.C. Nettles, Stewards.

Messrs. Jimmie and Robert Dennis of Tincie were here Tuesday and the former dropped in to pay his respects to The Journal. Mr. Dennis says his brother, T.E. Dennis Jr., recently appointed to teach in the Philippines, will leave about the 16^th inst. for San Francisco, whence he will sail for Manila. The voyage will occupy 30 days or more.

Old Brooks House at Lone Star was built in 1828 by Sawyer Brooks

(For decades, local historian and paranormal investigator George “Buster” Singleton published a weekly newspaper column called “Somewhere in Time.” The column below, which was titled “Brooks house was built in 1828” was originally published in the July 24, 1975 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

If one could decide to try to locate the oldest house in Monroe County, I think the search would probably end in the Lone Star community. Here, nestled under several giant pecan trees, is the home of Mrs. S.M. Brooks.

Mrs. Brooks is 85 years old, but the house she lives in is 62 years her senior. Built in 1828, this house has watched four generations come and go.

“I was born right here in this house. I have lived here all my life,” states Mrs. Brooks. “I have never lived any place else.”

A place to cool

The afternoon was hot as we visited in the hallway. But the cool breeze that blew across the porch and down the hall gave testimony that when Sawyer Brooks built this house, he envisioned the hallway as a place to cool on a hot summer evening.

As I listened to Mrs. Brooks tell of past years at this place, I could see within the walls the peace and harmony that had dwelt here. I could tell from the smile on her face that love had been ever-present as the years came and went.

As I looked at the worn boards in the hall floor, I thought of the many footsteps that had journeyed this way. Some quick and light with joy and happiness, and others soft and slow with sadness that came with news of the passing of a loved one.

I saw the giant limestone chimneys like silent sentinels standing guard over this select place. I saw the well kept flower beds that filled the yard with their lovely blossoms and their soft sweet fragrance.

Yard swept clean

I noticed, too, the absence of grass in many parts of the old front yard, bearing testimony of a time when the yard was swept clean with a broom made from dogwood sprouts.

I marveled at the logs that made up the outer walls, and the long slender pegs that held them in place. I saw the overhead loft where the young children were placed in the early years, so wild animals couldn’t get to them and carry them off, when the grown-ups went to the fields to work or to the spring for water.

I thought of a wonderful night’s sleep that one could get on a rainy eve in one of the shed rooms at the end of the porch. I thought of the comfort and feeling of security one would get lying there in a big soft bed, with the gentle rain splashing on the low roof overhead.

A lot of living

As we said goodbye to this gracious lady and her son, I found myself reciting parts of an old poem that I had learned in school years ago:

Home ain’t the place that gold can buy
Or build up in a minute.
Afore it’s home,
There’s got to be a heap of living in it.

Within the walls, there’s got to be
Some babies born and then,
Right there you’ve got to bring them up,
To women good and men.

You’ve got to love each brick and stone,
From cellar to the dome,
It takes a lot of living to
Make a house a home.

Looking back over my shoulder as the old house disappeared from sight, I was sure this house had succeeded in being a home.

(Singleton, the author of the 1991 book “Of Foxfire and Phantom Soldiers,” passed away at the age of 79 on July 19, 2007. A longtime resident of Monroeville, he was born to Vincent William Singleton and Frances Cornelia Faile Singleton, during a late-night thunderstorm, on Dec. 14, 1927 in Marengo County, graduated from Sweet Water High School in 1946, served as a U.S. Marine paratrooper in the Korean War, worked as a riverboat deckhand, lived for a time among Apache Indians, moved to Monroe County on June 28, 1964 and served as the administrator of the Monroeville National Guard unit from June 28, 1964 to Dec. 14, 1987. He was promoted from the enlisted ranks to warrant officer in May 1972. For years, Singleton’s columns, titled “Monroe County history – Did you know?” and “Somewhere in Time” appeared in The Monroe Journal, and he wrote a lengthy series of articles about Monroe County that appeared in Alabama Life magazine. It’s believed that his first column appeared in the March 25, 1971 edition of The Monroe Journal. He also helped organize the Monroe County Museum and Historical Society and was also a past president of that organization. He is buried in Pineville Cemetery in Monroeville. The column above and all of Singleton’s other columns are available to the public through the microfilm records at the Monroe County Public Library in Monroeville. Singleton’s columns are presented here each week for research and scholarship purposes and as part of an effort to keep his work and memory alive.)