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

Alabama Gov. Arthur P. Bagby

52 YEARS AGO
OCT. 30, 1969

Patrick Henry State Junior College will hold open house in its new multi-purpose building Sunday afternoon, Nov. 2, from three until five o’clock.
Completed early in September, the $405,000 building houses a three-court gymnasium with a seating capacity of 1,300 for Patrick Henry Patriots’ basketball games as well as for other recreational activities.
The multi-purpose building is the fourth major structure to be erected on the Patrick Henry campus.

Union High’s Eagles won their annual game with Camden Academy at home on Thursday afternoon, Oct. 23, with a score of 28 to 8.
Larry Snowden, tenth grade quarterback, handled himself well. He is a southpaw, even kicking the ball with his left foot. Larry shows up well in his passing and this bids well for Union High in the future.
(Other standout Union High players in that game included Charles Andrews, George Broughton, Billy Joe Kidd, Harry Kidd, Norman Nord and James Tucker.)

G.L. Kuhlman has resigned as civil defense coordinator for Monroe County.
In a letter to the Monroe County Commission, read Tuesday at the group’s regular meeting, Mr. Kuhlman asked to have his resignation become effective Nov. 1.
Chosen coordinator when the county first set up its civil defense unit about 3-1/2 years ago, Mr. Kuhlman plans to return to his home in Beardstown, Ill.

67 YEARS AGO
OCT. 28, 1954

Two distinguished visitors were presented on the program of Monroeville’s Alabama Masonic Lodge No. 3 at a recent meeting. Shown above with Ben Jones, Worshipful Master of the local lodge, they are R.E. Lambert Jr. of Darlington, Ala. and Bart R. Stafford of Brooklyn, N.Y. Mr. Stafford is a great-great-grandson of a notable historical figure in Monroe County, Arthur Pendleton Bagby, Governor of Alabama from 1837 to 1841, and a former resident of Claiborne. Gov. Bagby was a member of Lodge No. 3, the oldest continuous lodge in Alabama.

A determined Excel Panther eleven battled the Monroe County Tigers almost yard-for-yard, Thursday night at the MCHS field, but a strong second quarter by the forces of Monroeville coaches Hanks and Finlayson proved the difference with the local boys victorious by a 6-0 score.
Left halfback Jim McNorton plunged through from only inches out with four minutes remaining in the first half for the only six-pointer of the game.
(Other standout MCHS players in that game included Harry Ikner, Nicky Manning, Elliott Sawyer, Hick Wiggins and Robert Wiggins. Standout Excel players included quarterback Sonny Baas and Willie Ed Cole.)

Over 500 persons attended the annual Monroe County Purebred Cattle and Hog Show staged at the Regional Livestock Coliseum here last Thursday.

82 YEARS AGO
OCT. 26, 1939

Lee Motor Co. Erecting New Building: Dirt was broken last Friday morning for a new brick garage and sales room to be occupied by Lee Motor Co.

Grove Hill High defeated the Monroeville High football team in Grove Hill last Friday night by the score of 34 to 6.
Stevens, Pullen and Yarbrough were outstanding for Monroeville while Moss, Downey and Shipworth played well for Grove Hill.
One of the largest crowds ever seen in this section witnessed the game. It being estimated that more than 1,500 people were present. A large delegation of Monroeville fans went over for the game.

Mr. J.B. Henderson, 65, of Fountain, died in the Repton Hospital Sunday about noon as a result of injuries said to have been inflicted by J.G. Noble, last Friday morning. The difficulty followed an argument over a debt said to have been owed Mr. Henderson’s son for labor performed for Noble. Mr. Henderson was struck on the head with an automobile clutch hub. He died of a fractured skull on Sunday afternoon.
Mr. Noble is in the county jail. No date has been set for a preliminary hearing.

Valuable prizes are to be given to owners of winning hogs in the hog show to be held in connection with the Hog Festival Nov. 14. These prizes are made possible by commercial concerns that are always willing to cooperate, especially when cooperation means aid to farmers and 4-H and F.F.A. boys.

97 YEARS AGO
OCT. 30, 1924

MONROEVILLE FORMS STRONG LIONS CLUB: Mr. J.D. Hill, field director of the Lions International Club, was here last week and organized a club at a meeting held at the Commercial Hotel on Wednesday evening. Following were charter members: Judge M.M. Fountain, Dr. S.J. Yarbrough, Messrs. L.J. Bugg, A.C. Lee, S.W. Hixon, C.G. Yarbrough, Frank Lathram, R.O. Hendrix, E.R. Morrissette Jr., G.A. Harris and Charles J. Brockway.

HEAVY FIRE LOSS AT HODGE-NETTLES PLANT: As the result of a boiler explosion at the Hodge-Nettles plant near town late Saturday afternoon, Floyd Sanifer, fireman, was instantly killed and heavy property loss sustained in the destruction of the planing mill by fire.
Shortly after closing down for the day and after all employees except the fireman, who was left in charge as watchman, had left the plant, a terrific explosion was heard. When persons who were startled by the noise reached the scene, it was found that the planing mill was in flames and the watchman nowhere to be seen. Subsequent search discovered the horribly mangled body of the unfortunate man several hundred feet away where it had been blown by the force of the explosion.

The junior football team went over to Repton Saturday afternoon and came back all puffed up over the victory they had won. They played Repton a hot game of 12 to 13 in favor of the local team. This was there first game away from the local field and there are a bunch of boys on the team who give promise of being star players.

112 YEARS AGO
OCT. 28, 1909

Monroeville’s ball team and Ollie played last Saturday. The score was 17 to 5 in favor of Monroeville.

Hon. Kyle B. Price delivered an able address in favor of the constitutional amendment at Jones Mill on Saturday evening. The audience was not large on account of short notice but the impression made was apparently favorable.

W.G. McCorvey, Esq., and Dr. W.J. Mason met in joint debate on the constitutional amendment at Excel Tuesday evening, the former opposing and the latter favoring the proposition. A good crowd was present and a patient hearing accorded both speaker.

Dr. W.G. Hairston and wife expect to leave (Burnt Corn) Tuesday for Ft. Deposit in their automobile.

Mr. Tileson Bryce, a talented impersonator, formerly with the Fredrick Warde and Robert B. Mantell companies, presented a highly entertaining program at the court house on Wednesday evening. His repertoire embraced scenes from Shakespeare’s plays, “The Old Homestead,” the climax of Act I of Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde as rendered by the late Richard Mansfield, pathetic ballads and the one-act play “The Curse of Drink.” The role was varied and difficult throughout but performed with ease and skill.