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

25 YEARS AGO
FEB. 27, 1997

Top Four Winners: Elaine Brooks, a vice president representing Monroe County Bank, presented the winners of the 46^th Annual Monroe County Spelling Bee with U.S. Savings bonds. The winners are Monalisa Ghosh (first place), sixth-grader from Monroeville Junior High; Emily Till (second place), fourth-grader from Frisco City Elementary; Claire Hudgins (third place), fifth-grader from Monroeville Middle; and John McMauley (fourth place), sixth-grader from Excel Elementary.

MCHS defeats Miller, Andalusia teams: Monroe County High School baseball coach Randy Allison was cautiously celebrating the Tigers’ wins over T.R. Miller and Andalusia high schools Monday morning.
“We got off to a 2-0 start last year and things went down hill from there,” Allison told The Journal Monday, after MCHS nipped Miller 6-5 and outscored Andalusia 13-12 Saturday at T.R. Miller High School in Brewton.
(Top MCHS players in that game included Sam Allison, Mitchell Bayles, Travis Black, Adam Brantley, Bryan Bratcher, Bucky Busby, Justin Hawarah, Will Kelly, Josh Kendrick, Steve Meade, Alan Pulfrey and Ben Templin.)

A tree to remember: Tree City Board and Monroeville Garden Club members were joined by students of Marsha Lindblom’s class at Monroeville Junior High, poster contest winners and other supporters of forestry to plant a tree in honor of Arbor Day Thursday of last week. Alabama Southern Community College forestry instructor Rick Dorrance puts a magnolia in its new place on the MJHS lawn with help from Mrs. Lindblom and students. Monroeville was recognized as a Tree City USA for the 10^th consecutive year last week.

50 YEARS AGO
FEB. 24, 1972

Monroe native dies in Camden: Funeral rites for Fielden Dees, mayor of Camden and a native of Monroe County, were conducted in the Camden Baptist Church Tuesday afternoon at two o’clock.
Mr. Dees, born in Tunnel Springs, was 71 years old. He died Sunday in the Wilcox County Hospital following a lengthy illness.
He had lived in Camden for the past 40 years where he had served as a member of the city council for 30 years prior to his elevation to mayor. He was also a partner in the Camden Motor Company.

Shields planning stadium: J.F. Shields High School of Beatrice has announced plans for construction of a new football and softball field.
The field will be constructed behind the school plant, said Principal W.F. Andrews. The goal is to have the field completed and lights up before the end of this school year.
The school has had a football program in the past. They have had to play all their home games during the day because of the lack of lights on the existing field.

Al Bowen feted on sixth birthday: Al Bowen, son of Mr. and Mrs. David Bowen of Frisco City, celebrated his sixth birthday anniversary with a party in his home Fri., Feb. 11.
Those attending were Jeffery Bailey, Ritchie Byrd, Tim Carter, Brian and Curtis Childs, Matt Cotten, Blaine Harrison, Tom Sawyer, George Starr, Anthony Wilson, Blair Wilson, Kelly Boen, Cheryl Byrd, Allen Jorden, Melissa and David Bowen Jr., Mrs. Rennie Byrd and Mrs. Bowen.

75 YEARS AGO
FEB. 27, 1947

Several Injured In Car Wreck Here: A car driven by Mrs. P.S. Jackson of Peterman left the highway, hit a headwall and was badly wrecked in the southern part of town Friday night. Mrs. Jackson, Jo Ann Jackson, Mary Kay Jernigan, Gloria Cole, Gene Morris Feagin and Dorothy Crutchfield were riding in the car when the accident happened without serious injury. Mrs. Jackson and the girls were returning from a ball game in Mobile when the car is said to have left the highway due to a faulty tire. The car was almost a total wreck.

FIRE DEPARTMENT TO MEET FRIDAY NIGHT: The regular meeting of the local fire department will be held at the City Hall Mon., March 3, at 7:30 p.m. Members are urged to attend as an important study of the location of fire plugs in Monroeville and of the number of residences which will be served by each in case of fire, will be made during the meeting. Mr. Owen Ivey, chairman of the volunteer firemen group, urges that all citizens cooperate with the group by clearing the streets during the first three minutes after a fire alarm sounds, as failure to do so may seriously affect the efficiency of the department during a fire.

Among those who attended the Monroeville-McGill basketball game in Mobile last Friday night were the following students from the Monroeville High School: Gloria Cole, Jean Morris Feagin, Mary Kay Jernigan, Dorothy Crutchfield, Jo Ann Jackson, Jeanette Agee, Julianne Hixon, Mary Sidney Wiggins, Rose Wallace Thompson, Dot and Ann Moseley, Joyce Nicholas, Dot Dees, Anne Carter, Dot Hendrix, Louise Snowden, Janet Roberson, Mary Sue Snowden, Janet Roberson, Mary Sue McNeil, Margaret and Allen Law McCall, Bill McMillon, Bob Ryland, Charles Helton, David Miller Nettles, Otha Lee Biggs, Curtis and Bobby White, and Felix Nicholas.

100 YEARS AGO
FEB. 23, 1922

DEATH OF MRS. MAXWELL: The many friends of the family will regret to learn of the death of Mrs. D.M. Maxwell of Jones Mill at a sanitarium in Selma on Tuesday night, Feb. 21, following a surgical operation. Mrs. Maxwell had been in ill health for several months and was removed to Selma 10 days ago for treatment. She is survived by her husband and children.

Mrs. C.W. Jackson was stricken with an attack of appendicitis last Saturday and was taken to Selma where an operation was successfully performed the same evening. Latest advices convey the gratifying information that Mrs. Jackson’s condition is rapidly improving.

LOST – One light bay horse, weighs about 850 pounds. “U.S.” on front shoulder. Reward if found. Notify D.C. Reagan, Excel, Ala.

Mr. E.D. Espy, cashier of the Bank of McCullough, was a business visitor to Monroeville Tuesday and favored The Journal office with a pleasant call.

The work of planting the Irish potato crop throughout the county has been delayed 10 days to two weeks by unfavorable weather, but with favorable conditions for a few days more this crop this year will be in the neighborhood of 2,500 to 3,000 acres, most of which will be under the cooperative system.

144 YEARS AGO
FEB. 26, 1878

Notice to Our Patrons – The Journal office has been removed from the McCorvey old building to the spacious and pleasant rooms over Dr. J.T. Russell’s store, Public square.

We intend making such improvements in The Journal as to make it a welcome visitor into every household. But to accomplish this, and to make The Journal reflect credit upon the county, our friends must go to work and secure us a large list of subscribers at each post office in the county.

Died – In this county, Sunday morning, the 17^th inst., Mrs. Mariam, wife of R.N. McDonald, aged about 82 years. To Mr. McDonald, we extend our warmest sympathy. A good woman has gone from among us.

Claiborne – We copy the following notice of the marriage of our esteemed friend, Dr. Frank Thompson, from The Sherman Daily Register, with pleasure and unite with his hosts of friends in wishing him that continued good luck to which his merit and talents deserve:
Dr. F.D. Thompson and Miss Emma, daughter of Jno. Fitch, esq., were married last night at the residence of the bride’s father, Dr. Read officiating. Only a few relatives were present. We congratulate the doctor on securing one of Grayson County’s most charming daughters, the graces of whose character are so well known and appreciated by a large circle of friends. Dr. Thompson who stands high, both in his profession and the esteem of our citizens. To both of the happy people, the Register extends its congratulations.

Methodist Appointments – We are requested to publish the following appointments of Rev. Mr. Leslie: Will preach at Pine Grove first Sunday in March; at Claiborne, second Sunday in March; at Bowdens, third Sunday in March; at Monroeville, fourth Sunday in March and at other places as formerly.