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

U.S.S. George Washington

21 YEARS AGO
FEB. 1, 2001

New chief: Excel Town Clerk Gracie Guy swears in Ray Norris as Excel police chief Monday at Excel Town Hall. Attending the swearing in were Norris’ wife, Sharon, and Excel Mayor Jenny Countryman. Today (Thursday) is Norris’ first day on the job as the new chief. Norris was hired by the town council in January. Former Police Chief Condie Browning announced his retirement last year.

Barnett leads MC past 5A opponents: Monroe County High School basketball standout Tikoyo Barnett led the Tigers to a pair of big home wins last week over 5A opponents Williamson and Wilcox Central high schools in Monroeville.
MCHS upended Williamson 69-54 Tuesday of last week, and Friday the Tigers beat Wilcox Central 75-57. Barnett accounted for 55 total points, 14 rebounds, nine steals, three assists and a blocked shot in the two games.
(Other top MCHS players in those games included Tramaine Banks, Mark Beasley, Kristopher Brown, Tarrell Gibbs, Wendell Hollinger, Damaine Kidd, Allen McClain and Anthony Widdle. Willie White was head coach.)

Navy Petty Officer 3^rd Class Kevin D. Walter, a 1995 graduate of J.U. Blacksher High School at Uriah, recently returned from a six-month deployment to the Mediterranean Sea and Arabian Gulf while assigned to the aircraft carrier U.S.S. George Washington, homeported in Norfolk, Va. During the deployment, Walter’s ship assisted in the recovery effort of Gulf Air Flight 072. After the plane crashed on its approach to Bahrain International Airport Aug. 23 more than 80 sailors and several boats from the aircraft carrier arrived at the scene to help.

46 YEARS AGO
FEB. 5, 1976

Cattlemen honor Philen: R.C. Philen of Beatrice was named Cattleman of the Year for 1975 at the Monroe County Cattlemen’s Association annual banquet Thursday night of last week.
The award recipient has lived in Monroe County since he was about five years old, and he has been farming in north Monroe County for 17 years.
He owns 327 acres of farmland in the Beatrice area on which he has over 200 head of cattle.

Journal subscription rates, single-copy price to go up: Subscription rates for The Monroe Journal will go up effective March 1.
Beginning on that date, the rate will be $8.50 yearly for subscribers residing in Monroe and bordering counties, namely Conecuh, Baldwin, Escambia, Clarke, Butler and Wilcox.
The single-copy price will be advanced from 15 cents to 20 cents.

Mrs. Sue Turner honored by historical commission: Mrs. Sue Turner of Buena Vista has been selected to receive a 1976 Award of Merit from the Alabama Historical Commission, according to W. Warner Floyd, executive director of the commission.
The awards are presented to individuals and groups for substantial contributions in restoration, preservation, legislation and publication activities relating to Alabama’s historic resources, Floyd said.
Mrs. Turner has been a weekly columnist for The Monroe Journal for 5-1/2 years. Her column, “Down Home,” frequently includes glimpses of the history of Buena Vista and Monroe County.

71 YEARS AGO
FEB. 1, 1951

Dedication Of New Church Building Set: Dedication of the Old Salem Baptist Church will take place Sunday afternoon at three o’clock, the pastor, the Rev. R.G. Key, announced this week.
The new church building located approximately two miles from Mexia, was recently completed. The dedication sermon will be preached by the Rev. Mr. Key.
The Old Salem Church is one of the oldest in the entire section, dating back to the turn of the 19^th century.

Blacksher Cagers Grab Second Win Of Season By Edging Repton 43-40: Uriah, playing one of its best games of the season, edged past Repton 43-40 last Friday night for its second win of the season.
Forward Evans McGhee, with 12 points, paced Uriah scorers in that tilt. Loton Griggers tallied nine markers, and Bobby Grissette added seven. Hollinger, Brantley and Coley scored six, five and four points, respectively, for the Bulldogs.
Burt, with 13 markers, paced Repton. Butts tallied eight markers, and Kelley added six. McMillan and Daniels scored five points each and Ivey three.

Veteran Of Korean Naval War Is On Way Home: Boykin B. Harper, son of Mr. and Mrs. Leo Harper of Monroeville, is now on his way home from duty in Korean waters, after serving aboard the cruiser Rochester.
The cruiser returned to the U.S. Jan. 30 and he is expected home Feb. 5.
In the navy since February, the local resident had served aboard the cruiser in Korean waters since April. He attended Monroeville schools.

96 YEARS AGO
FEB. 4, 1926

Dr. J.M. Johnson has installed in his dental office the most modern equipment now on the market. Among other equipment he operates a Ritter Electrical unit, one of only five of the type in Alabama. By means of this equipment, muscular effort on the part of the operator is reduced to a minimum.

Miss Jennie Faulk has gone to the market to purchase her spring stock of millinery and notions.

Mr. Carl M. Watts of the Wilcox Progressive Era, Camden, was a visitor to the city Tuesday and favored The Journal with a fraternal call.

Capt. J.L. Marshall has been appointed a member of the Board of Registrars for Monroe County to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. H.J. Coxwell.

Mr. E.H. Hayles and family are occupying their new dwelling in the Urquhart Addition. Their many friends extend to them a cordial welcome as citizens of Monroeville.

HENS PAY DIVIDENDS: Mr. J.T. Ward of Perdue Hill, Route 1, who was a visitor to Monroeville Monday, is a firm believer in the value of good hens well cared for on the farm. He stated to The Journal man that during the past season he sold 441 dozen eggs produced by a flock of some 50 hens, besides supplying liberally his requirements. A steady demand prevailed throughout the year for eggs at prices ranging all the way from 20 to 50 cents per dozen.

A most impressive service was held in the Presbyterian church on Sunday morning when Rev. K.R. McCutchen was formally installed as pastor of that congregation.

122 YEARS AGO
FEB. 1, 1900

Mr. Riley Kelly, the efficient telegraph operator and agent at Monroe Station, attended religious services here Sunday.

February first was about the coldest day of the new year, but it is quite probable that the record will be broken before the month is past.

Messrs. John A. Pringle and Gray of Morriston were in Monroeville Friday on a prospecting tour of the county with a view to securing a desirable location for a timber mill or logging business.

Last Friday, while splitting rails near Mexia, Ben McNeil was killed by a falling tree.

Mr. I.J. Kearley, the popular postmaster and merchant at Franklin, was in town Wednesday.

Mr. A. Shiff and family left Claiborne Sunday for their future home in Clarkesburg, W.Va.

Rev. E.A. Dannelly of Evergreen occupied the Methodist pulpit at 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday and Sunday night, preaching three eloquent and thoughtful sermons.

Election day is drawing on apace, and candidates are beginning to bestir themselves in earnest. From now until April 14, the campaign will wax warm.

The editor has been feasting on backbone stew, etc., the past few days, for which delicacy he is indebted to the generosity of his thoughtful friend, Mr. John F. Deer.