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

23 YEARS AGO
MARCH 11, 1999

Lonnie I. Watts, 80, of Frisco City died Feb. 3, 1999 at Mercy Medical Hospital in Daphne.
Prior to moving to Frisco City, Watts lived in Mobile for 40 years. Watts served overseas in World War II in the Air Force. He was a member of the 407^th Air Service Engineers Squadron. He was in the grocery business, real estate and owned the Quarter Note Supper Club for several years. While living in Frisco City, he owned the Old Fort Claiborne Inn in Monroe County. He was a policeman in Frisco City and was involved in other businesses while living there.

Frisco City’s baseball team picked up its first win of the season Thursday when the Whippets defeated J.F. Shields 32-5 in Frisco City.
“It was good to get the win,” said FCHS coach Richard Anderson. “We did some good things offensively and defensively. I thought Michael Havronek pitched real well, and we had five guys that hit good.”
(Other top FCHS players in that game included Brian Adair, John Bob Black, Nic Evans, Richie Evans, Jeremy Lett and Carlos Salinas.)

The great mail race: Students in Debbie Shelley’s and Penelope Hines’ third grade classes at Monroeville Elementary School have been keeping the postman busy as they competed in “The Great Mail Race.” Students in each class sent letters to a school in each of the 50 states. Each student wrote letters to schools in at least two states. The letters included an explanation from Hines and Shelley, a letter from the students, a questionnaire and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Students received letters from schools as near as Florida and as far as Alaska. Shelley’s class won the race with a one-state advantage.

48 YEARS AGO
MARCH 14, 1974

Alabama Lt. Gov. Jere Beasley will be guest speaker at the annual fish fry of the Monroeville Chamber of Commerce tonight at Vanity Fair community house at 6:30.
Tonight’s address will be the second non-political speech that Beasley, a candidate for re-election, has made in Monroe County in recent weeks.

Excel falls in state: The Excel High School Panthers won their way into the state Alabama High School Athletic Association Class A basketball tournament before they were downed by a fine Kennedy team in the opening round of the tournament Wed., March 6. Kennedy won the game 54-38 but had to come from behind in the second half of play to do it. Larry Hixon with 15 points and Jiles Hands with 13 led the Panthers in the scoring department.
(Other top Excel players in that game included Neal Dawson, Butch Grissette, Bennie Middleton.)

Back to school early: Monroe County public school students, returning from the weeklong Alabama Education Association (AEA) spring holidays, will have to get up an hour earlier Monday morning as schools revert to their traditional daily hours.
Classes will be held from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m., give or take a few minutes in the various schools. Schools hours have been about 8:45 to 3:40 since Jan. 7 because winter daylight savings time made daylight come later than normal.
Daylight savings time will still be in effect Monday, but the longer spring days will mean no students will have to catch school buses in the dark, said School Supt. James Allen. School bus schedules will be moved back about an hour, Allen added.

73 YEARS AGO
MARCH 10, 1949

Franklin Soldier Is Buried Tuesday: Funeral services with full military honors were conducted at Spring Hill Church Tuesday afternoon at three o’clock for Pfc. William C. McKinley, who was killed in action during World War II.
The Rev. Mr. Roark and the Rev. R.G. Key, pastor of the Mexia Baptist Church, conducted services and military honors were bestowed by members of the Monroe County American Legion post.
The son of Mr. and Mrs. R.P. McKinley of Franklin and a native of that area, Pfc. McKinley died in action in Italy on Jan. 28, 1944. His remains had been interred in a temporary military cemetery in that country prior to return to this country recently aboard an Army transport.

Beatrice Slates Six Grid Games: A six-game football schedule for Beatrice High School during the 1949 season was announced Wednesday by Principal John Harbour, as spring training at the school got underway.
Games scheduled for the next season are as follows: Sept. 22, at Frisco City; Sept. 30, at Uriah; Oct. 7, at Lyeffion; Nov. 4, v. Repton; Nov. 12, Excel at Monroeville; Nov. 17, Monroeville at Monroeville.
The 1949 season will mark the first time in several years Beatrice has had a football team.

Remodeled Hotel To Open in Beatrice: The remodeled Finklea-Robbins Hotel will be opened in Beatrice Sunday afternoon at an open house from three to five o’clock.
Operated as the Robbins Hotel for more than half a century, the structure has been renovated inside and out, according to O.B. Finklea, owner. Miss Minnie Robbins will act as hostess for the occasion, Mr. Finklea said.

98 YEARS AGO
MARCH 13, 1924

BOY SCOUT TROOP: Mr. Harry C. Burton, Scout Executive of the Mobile Council Boy Scouts of America, spent Saturday in Monroeville giving instruction and advice on the preliminary steps looking to the organization of a local Troop of Boy Scouts.
More than a score of enthusiastic youngsters were present at a meeting in the courthouse Saturday afternoon and listened with rapt attention to an explanation of the principles and objectives of Scoutcraft. Without exception, the boys signified their desire to be enrolled and are devoting themselves assiduously to the course of study necessary to enable them to pass the Tenderfoot Test.

Mrs. A.C. Lee, who has been in an infirmary in Mobile for several weeks, returned home a few days ago. Her many friends were glad to know that her health is greatly improved.

This section experienced the fourth hard freeze within a period of six weeks on Monday night. Peach growers are apprehensive that the low temperatures has seriously damaged the fruit crop if it has not been entirely destroyed.

Numerous cases of influenza and measles have prevailed in Monroeville and vicinity during the last few weeks.

Mr. Francis Hare is spending a few days with the family of his uncle, Mr. F.W. Hare. Francis is just home from a trans-Atlantic and Mediterranean voyage, visiting many points of interest in the Old World. He will embark shortly on a second sea journey.

142 YEARS AGO
MARCH 8, 1880

Dr. J.T. Russell has just returned from Selma where he purchased a handsome “turnout,” consisting of a very fine buggy and harness, and a beautiful and stylish iron gray horse. The Dr. has cause to be proud of his turnout.

At the competitive exercises in elocution and declamation Friday night, March 5, at the Monroeville Institute, the successful contestant in elocution was Miss Mamie Neville; in declamation, Master James L. Sowell.

Personal – We had the pleasure of a call last Monday from Col. J.W. Portis and Mr. Phillips of Clarke, who came to our town on business. The Col. looked to be in his usual good health and fine spirits. We are always glad to see Colonel P.
We also had the pleasure of meeting in our office our old friend Capt. J.A. McCreary, than whom no cleverer gentleman lives.

Maibin’s – Mr. Charlie Henderson died near Maibin’s Landing last week. He was a most excellent citizen and leaves a wife and two children to mourn his death.

Died – At Monroeville, Wednesday last, infant child of Mr. J.A. and Mrs. Annie Fore.

Died – Near Monroeville, Thursday last, Victoria, son of Mr. and Mrs. J.N. Watts. The bereaved parents have our heartfelt sympathy in their sad loss. He was at the time of his death eight years, one month and three days old.