Wilcox County, Alabama News Flashback for Feb. 9, 2022

U.S. Navy Destroyer, USS Rich.

68 YEARS AGO
FEB. 11, 1954

Miss Gene Lambert, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lambert of Darlington, has been named Valedictorian of the Senior Class of Wilcox County High School.
Miss Lula Lee Ray, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Ray, has been named Salutatorian. These honors go to the two students with the highest average grades in the Senior III classes.

Bridges Serving On Destroyer: Operating in training exercises in the North Sea aboard the destroyer USS Rich, is Desmond E. Bridges, boilerman first class, U.S. Navy, son of Mrs. J.R. Bridges of Arlington, Ala.
The destroyers USS McGowan and Rich visited London for the holidays and the crew had the opportunity to visit Westminster Abbey and hear Big Ben chime in the New Year.
Anchored in the Thames River, the ships as their part in bringing Christmas cheer, entertained 50 British children aboard on Dec. 23.

Mr. and Mrs. Millard F. Jackson Jr. of South Bend, Indiana announce the birth of a daughter, Melanie Jeanne, on Jan. 1, 1954. Millard Jackson is formerly of Pine Apple and is now an electronic engineer with Bendix Guided Missiles project in South Bend. Mrs. Jackson, was formerly Alice Lord Eagle of South Bend.

The Wilcox County High School will play host to the Third District Class A Basketball Tournament this year. An invitation issued by Principal N.P. Benton and Coach Connie McKelvey was accepted last week. The tournament will begin on Tues., Feb. 23, and run through Sat., Feb. 27.

81 YEARS AGO
FEB. 13, 1941

Thomas Tate Passes: The sudden and tragic passing of Thomas Tate Friday, Jan. 7, 1941 shocked and saddened the entire community of Camden and surrounding country. His death was the result of an automobile accident which occurred about one-half mile from Camden, on the Brandon Highway when two cars collided.
Mr. Tate was a member of a pioneer family of this section where he had spent home of his life. In early manhood, he was married to Miss Mary Hasselvander of Ackerville. Mr. Tate was the possessor of a rare and genial personality which endeared him to friends wherever he went.

Hon. W.C. Vaughn: Mr. Vaughn has been an outstanding figure in his church, community and county for one-half century – passing at the great age of 87 years. To live that long is a noble feat in the life of humanity. This he did nobly and usefully and won the respect and admiration of people in all walks of life. His going leaves a place in our hearts and in our little church that will be hard to fill. His memory and a deep appreciation of what he was meant to us will linger as long as life shall last.

On Sunday, Feb. 2, James Buchanan Lloyd of Pine Apple, was 84 years of age. He is a native of Butler County and a member of one of the most interesting families of this section. His parents, Elder and Mrs. Benjamin Lloyd, came to Butler many years before the War Between the States, among the first settlers of this county.

92 YEARS AGO
FEB. 13, 1930

LARGE SHINNY STILL: Chief Deputy Sheriff F.M. Tait captured a large copper shinny still (50-gallon capacity) near Blacks Bluff last week, and Frances Westry was arrested and placed in jail charged with operating same.

The contract for the care of Camden cemetery is soon to be given. The committee is ready to consider applications and bids for this work for 1930, beginning March 1.

PINE APPLE: The high school basketball teams are making a good showing. Both the boys and girls have been very successful. The last victory was won by the girls at McKenzie Friday night. They are looking forward to another victory this Friday at Pine Hill.

McWILLIAMS: We hope the repairs to the paving on the McWilliams streets will soon be started as there is one place near the corner of Florida Street and Oak Hill Boulevard that is very inconvenient to the automobiles entering our fair city. The residents of McWilliams would be truly grateful if the road commissioner could set his way clear to have this repairing done, as soon as possible. It seems to us that our end of the public road has been forgotten for some strange reason.

Basketball Games: Wilcohi boys, after having defeated Beatrice, 20-11, Friday afternoon turned in another victory against Coy Consolidated Saturday night winning, 19-12. The Coy girls won from Wilcohi girls, 11-10, in a fast, rough contest.

106 YEARS AGO
FEB. 10, 1916

The Town of Pine Hill was aroused from its slumbers Thursday night, Feb. 3, at midnight by the cries of “Fire, Fire,” and when the citizens reached Front Street with their buckets, it was found that the fine store of I.J. Hestle & Co. was almost completely destroyed, also the post office building next door and a millinery establishment conducted by Miss Pearl Jackson.
It was only by the most heroic work by the citizens that the flames were confined to these three buildings, thus saving the large store owned by Mrs. J.D. Dees and the large brick building occupied by V.M. Adams. The first was discovered by Mr. Jebb Ward Jr., Railroad Contractor, who gave the alarm and who did excellent work.
I.J. Hestle & Co. were the heaviest losers, having large stock of goods with no insurance, the three buildings burned being owned by Mr. T.J. Wills, former postmaster at this point.

We are informed that Ellis Landing Ferry will shortly be declared a free ferry and that it is contemplated to make Holly’s Landing also a free ferry. These free ferries are a great convenience to our county friends.

Water works, sewage and good streets for Camden are practically assured under the guidance of Mayor Berry and our board of aldermen. This will mean a beautified Camden and increased property values. New brick buildings will take the place of the burned district and progress and prosperity will replace the gloom caused by the recent fires.

The Alabama River is rising but not very rapidly. The recent heavy rains did little or no damage to our county bridges.

119 YEARS AGO
FEB. 12, 1903

The Alabama Charter Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy will meet at the home of the President, Miss Sallie Jones, at three o’clock Thurs., Feb. 19, the subject for the evening will be “The Prison Life of Southern Soldiers,” and Mr. R.E. McWilliams will give us interesting items of his experience for 14 months in Northern prisons. – Ada Beck, Corresponding Secretary.

McKINZIE-GRIMES: Last Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 4, there gathered in the spacious parlor of the hospitable home of Mr. Caleb Grimes of Indian Springs, Monroe County, a merry throng of young people. The occasion of the gathering was the marriage of Miss Nelya Grimes and Mr. Wright McKinzie. Promptly as the clocks were striking three, Rev. Mr. Majors pronounced the solemn worlds that made them man and wife. Early on Thursday morning they departed for Midway where they at once started housekeeping.

Gov. Jelks has appointed Mr. L.T. Lawler Justice of the Peace of Camden beat to fill the vacancy caused by resignation of Mr. R.L. Hawthorne. We regard the appointment a good one. Judge Lawler will fill the position creditably, and will give general satisfaction in the beat.

Mr. George Stuart and J.F. Maxwell of Schuster paid our sanctum a pleasant visit Monday. Mr. Stuart is the proprietor of the celebrated therapeutic springs at that place which have made some marvelous cures of dyspepsia and kindred troubles.