The Evergreen Courant's News Flashback for May 31, 2022

74 YEARS AGO
MAY 27, 1948

53 To Receive Diplomas At C.C.T.S. Friday Night: Graduating exercises (at Conecuh County Training School) will be held in the auditorium Friday night at 8 p.m. Dr. Robert C. Hatch, Supervisor of Instruction of the Division of Negro Education, State Department of Education, Montgomery, Ala., will deliver the commencement address.

City Politics Warming, Five Announce This Week: The local political front was broadened by the entry of five new candidates for places on the city council. The total now in the race for council posts is nine with five to be elected. Tues., June 1, is the last day for qualifying.
The five announcing for council posts this week are J.W. Shannon, H.H. Beasley, H.J. Kinzer, H.A. Deer and D.T. Stuart.
There were no further announcements for mayor. Present mayor, J.H. Robison, and M.M. Cardwell announced for this office last week.
The first primary of the municipal elections will be held on June 29. A second, if necessary, will be held on July 27. Candidates nominated in the primary elections will be entered in the general election to be held Sept. 20. New officials will take office Oct. 1, 1948.

Frank M. Hart, age 72, beloved citizen of the Old Town community, died at his home Wed., May 19, following an illness of many months.
Mr. Hart was a native of the community in which he died, and had lived his entire life there.
He is survived by a wife and one son, Wendell Hart of Evergreen.

86 YEARS AGO
MAY 28, 1936

Under date of May 25, a work order was issued to E.M. Williams of Monroe, Ga., to whom the contract has been awarded for the construction of the new post office building in Evergreen.

After an absence of nine years from his native country, Denmark, Knud Thomsen, owner of the Evergreen Hatchery, is going back for a visit to relatives and friends there for two or three months. Mr. Thomsen left Evergreen Wednesday night of this week for New York City where he will visit for one week before sailing June for Denmark.

By a majority of 55 votes, Dr. J.R. Brooks was elected to the office of mayor of Evergreen in Tuesday’s primary election over J.R. Kelley, his only opponent.
For members of the city council, C.B. Wilson, Cecil Hagood, J.W. Shannon, J.H. (Hub) Robison and J.T. Gailard were elected.

Castleberry, Ala., May 26 – Roderick Matthews was nominated for mayor Castleberry in the primary here today, receiving 56 votes to 17 for J.W. Yancey.
Members of the council chosen were Albert Griffin, A.S.J. Nettles, J.R. Riggs, L.H. Wilson and A.N. Riggs.
Matthews will succeed C.E. Robinson, who was recently named to the board of revenue.

Mrs. Cary Murphy of Montgomery, spent a few days last week with Mr. Murphy, who is operating the new Standard Service Station.

102 YEARS AGO
MAY 26, 1920

Castleberry High School Ends Session: Castleberry, May 23 – The commencement exercises of the Conecuh County High School came to a close Wednesday with delivery of the baccalaureate address and the awarding of diplomas. Dr. J.S. Thomas of the University of Alabama delivered the address to the graduates. Four boys and six girls were given diplomas. They are Rosa Pate, Helen Albreast, Albert Smith, Dewitt Hancock, Edward Suddith and Forrest Castleberry.
Prof. Sellers Stough has been elected principal for another year.

B.M. Johnston attended the Confederate reunion in Montgomery last week.

School Commencement: The commencement exercises of the Agricultural school began on last Friday night with the school play, a four-act drama, presented by pupils from several departments.
On Sunday morning the commencement sermon was delivered at the Baptist church by Rev. Norman McLeod of Auburn.
On Tuesday night, the senior class exercises occurred and an interesting program presented.
The auditorium was taxed to capacity at most of these exercises to accommodate the crowds, reminding one of the early days of the school under the late Prof. Liner.

120 YEARS AGO
MAY 28, 1902

The Conecuh Guards recently received a supply of canteens, haversacks, blanket bags, straps, etc. and it is expected they will soon receive a supply of blankets and overcoats.

REPTON SWEPT BY MAD FLAMES: A telegram from R.H. Ellis of Repton to James S. Sims of this place, yesterday morning contained the news of the destruction by fire of the principal business block of that place.
It was not stated and could not be learned how the fire originated or the extent of the damage done. The message stated that every store from J.W. Gaston’s to the store of C.S. Kelly were destroyed. This includes the stores of James M. Sims, T.R. Higdon and Jesse Jay, all general stocks.

Commencement Exercises: The commencement exercises of the Southwest Alabama Agricultural School, beginning next Sunday are as follows:
Sermons Sunday morning and evening will be preached by Dr. L.O. Dawson of Tuscaloosa.
Wednesday morning, graduation exercises will be held and the commencement address to be delivered by Prof. A.A. Persons of the University, graduates will deliver their essays and orations, and diplomas conferred.
Wednesday evening, exercises of the week will close with an entertainment by the elocution and physical culture class.
(The graduates included Julia Stanly Wilson, Robert Bragg Hagood, Alma Belle Shields and James Leonidas Murphy.)

142 YEARS AGO
MAY 22, 1880

THE CONECUH-ESCAMBIA STAR

Armor Lodge No. 31, Evergreen, Knights of Pythias is increasing in numbers. Several members of Greenville Lodge were here on Tuesday.

Mr. G.F. Mertins has kindly offered a suitable lot to the Knights of Pythias, upon which to build a Lodge. This is quite generous upon the part of Mr. Mertins.

The Cemetery is being placed in good condition by the town authorities.

We are authorized to announce T.H. Coker as a candidate for Sheriff of Conecuh County, election in August 1880.

Mr. and Mrs. M. Weis of Pollard have been visiting Evergreen.

Two persons were baptized Sabbath last by Rev. Mr. Crumpton.

Belleville Male and Female Academy: The exercises of this Institution will begin on Monday, the 12^th of April, under the care and supervision of the undersigned. Rates of tuition per month: Primary Classes, $2; Intermediate Classes, $2.50; Practical Studies, $3. Latin, Algebra and other advanced studies, $4. Payments monthly if convenient. Good Order Will Be Maintained. – C.D. Snead.

MT. UNION SEMINARY: Terms of Tuition: first grade, $1 per month; second grade, $1.25 per month. No pupil taken for less than three months, commencing first day of attendance. One month’s pay constantly in advance. Satisfaction Guaranteed. Our school is in a very flourishing condition, and offers the easiest terms of any school in the county. Boarding at cheap rates. – J.C. Green, Principal.

The Evergreen Courant's Sports Flashback for May 30, 2022

Evergreen's Wayne Frazier

21 YEARS AGO
MAY 31, 2001

Rotary Club of Evergreen, administrators of the Wendell Hart Scholarship Fund, announces that Mrs. Jenifer Harper Stanford has been named recipient of the 2001 Wendell Hart Scholarship in the amount of $2,500.
This scholarship is presented in memory of Wendell Hart, former football coach at Evergreen High School. Coach Hart was dedicated to the success of his students, not only in athletics but academics as well.
His enthusiasm and generosity so earned the respect for former students that they established this memorial scholarship in his name.

26 YEARS AGO
MAY 23, 1996

On May 16, 1996, Sparta Academy held their annual athletic banquet in the school gym.
Josh Scott, a senior at Sparta Academy, was the 1996 recipient of the Jerry Peacock Memorial Award. This award is given to the best senior athlete who participates in at least three sports.
Nicholas Jones, a senior at Sparta Academy, was the 1996 recipient of the D.T. Stuart Sportsmanship Award. This award is given to the senior athlete who exhibits good sportsmanship both on and off the playing field.
Members of the varsity football team who received awards were Jerry Ezell, Outstanding Defensive Back; Steve Bradley, Outstanding Offensive Lineman; Lyle Bell, Outstanding Offensive Back; and Eric Davis, Outstanding Defensive Lineman.
Members of the varsity basketball team who received awards were Larry Wright, Outstanding Rebounder; James Johnson, Outstanding Offensive Player and Team Captain; and Nicholas Jones, Outstanding Defensive Player.
Nikki Jones received the following awards in varsity girls basketball: Team Captain, Outstanding Rebounder, Outstanding Defensive Player, Best Free-Throw Percentage and Best Field-Goal Percentage.
Members of the softball team who received awards were Janet Kendrick, Outstanding Offensive Player; and Nikki Jones, Outstanding Defensive Player.

36 YEARS AGO
MAY 22, 1986

These Southeastern Louisiana University basketball players were recognized at the team’s annual banquet recently. Honorees included Robert Cousin, Mandeville, Coaches’ Award for Outstanding Player; Luke Marlar, Defensive Award and Academic Award; Eric Fortenberry, Biloxi, Miss., GSC Freshman of the Year; Bill Dukes, Evergreen, Ala., Chairman of the Boards (Rebound Leader); Joe Venable, Baton Rouge, Free Throw Award and Assist Award; and Teddy Butler, New Orleans, Mr. Consistency Award.

Sparta Tennis Teams end successful season: The Sparta tennis teams, coached by Joye Fordham, recently completed the 1986 season undefeated in regular season play. In their second year, the teams participated in the APSA State Finals in Eufaula.
The girls team is composed of Lee McNeill, Amy Jackson, Raye Ann Gall and Lynn Williams. The girls doubles team of Jackson and Williams won District III and played in the first round of the state finals.
The boys team is composed of Scott Salter, Baxter Stinson, Richard Melton, Glynn Ralls, Mark Rigsby, Lynn Ralls, Marcus Blair and Addrian Brooks. The boys finished first in District III led by impressive wins in singles by Melton and in doubles by Salter and Stinson and Ralls and Rigsby.

Brent Salter, son of Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Salter of Evergreen, is shown with his horse, Hobo’s Slo Poke. They will participate at the Evergreen Saddle Club’s free horse show starting at 6 p.m. this Saturday at the Evergreen Municipal Park. There will be halter, pleasure and timed events. Children of all ages are invited to participate in a balloon burst race. All politicians are invited to speak during the break. The Evergreen Kiwanis Club will sponsor the concessions.

44 YEARS AGO
MAY 25, 1978

Sparta Academy athletes are recognized: Girl and boy athletes of Sparta Academy were honored at the Sparta Quarterback Club’s annual Athletic Banquet held in the school gymnatorium on Thursday night.
Wayne Frazier, an all-everything at Evergreen High School and former star football player at Auburn University and for the Kansas City Chiefs and San Diego Chargers of the NFL, was the principal speaker. Wayne, who played in the Super Bowl with the Chiefs, now lives in Brewton.
The Jerry Peacock Memorial Trophy was presented for the first time at the banquet with the honor going to Gray Stevens. The Trophy is given by the Class of 1977 in memory of their late classmate, who was an outstanding athlete and student and drowned in a tragic accident last year.
The Class of 1977 has provided a big, handsome trophy which will remain at the school with the name of the athlete winning the honor to be engraved on it each year. The Jerry Peacock Memorial Trophy is awarded to a senior, male athlete who has been outstanding in football, basketball and baseball and is selected the most outstanding by the votes of the athletes participating in those sports.
Athletes recognized in the various sports were: Girls Basketball: Best Defensive Player, Sharon Johnson; Best Offensive Player, Angie Driver; Best Free Throw Shooter, Michell Joyner; and Most Valuable Player, Mary Claire Robinson. Girls Softball: Hustler, Rosemary Ralls; Best Batting Average, Missy Thacker; and Most Valuable Player, Mary Claire Robinson.
Football: Best Offensive Lineman, Harry Crabtree; Best Defensive Lineman, Greg Anthony; Best Offensive Back, Ronny McKenzie; and Best Defensive Back, Johnny Ralls.
Basketball: Most Valuable Player, Gray Stevens; Best Rebounder, Tony Raines; Best Scorer, Terry Peacock; and Best Free Throw Percentage, Stevens.
Recognized for winning All District Honors were: football, Harry Crabtree and David Sabino; basketball, Gray Stevens; and baseball, Terry Peacock.

Tony Rogers, outstanding quarterback for the Evergreen High School Aggies, signs a full grant-in-aid scholarship to Livingston State University as his high school coach, Charles Branum, looks on. Rogers was an outstanding passer and runner for the Aggies.

65 YEARS AGO
MAY 23, 1957

In the first round of the Evergreen Golf Club Summer Tournament the Scramblers went ahead by three points after a number of close matches. The Scramblers were led by Elmo Grace, No. 5, and Joe Martin, No. 13, who gained nine points each for their team. Herman Bolden, No. 2, led the Hackers’ scoring with nine points.
In the only challenge match of the day, Bayne Petrey defeated Dr. Bill Turk to move up from No. 4 position to No. 3. Bonnie King was low scorer for the day with a one par, 73 for the 18 holes.
Bill McGehee was elected captain of the Scamblers, and Bonnie King was elected captain of the Hackers.

The Conecuh County Amateur League has been organized this year with six teams and league play began Sunday.
Two new teams are in the league this year, Castleberry and Evergreen. Garland, Buck Creek, Lyeffion and Paul played in the league last year.
In league opening games, Evergreen defeated Lyeffion, 8-3, and Paul took Castleberry, 4-2. The Buck Creek-Garland game was not reported.
Jumping off to an early advantage, Evergreen was never headed in the game against Lyeffion, scoring six runs in the first three innings.

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

U.S. Navy aircraft carrier, USS Bataan.

21 YEARS AGO
MAY 24, 2001

18 to compete in Junior Miss program June 2: Next Saturday, June 2, at 7 p.m., Monroe County Junior Miss for 2002 will be chosen from a group of 18 girls from Excel High School, Frisco City High School, Monroe County High School and Monroe Academy.
(2001 Junior Miss Sarah) Sawyer will appear on stage with the 18 contestants next Saturday night at Nettles Auditorium at Alabama Southern Community College.
Contestants are Amanda McMillan, Marlee Smith, Erin Hall, Allison Welch, Tiffany Stokes, Emily Dueitt, Mary Stevens Mitchell, Alisha Ruggs, Anna Lee, Casey Ramer, Krystal Levins, Linn Lazenby, Catherine Black, Melissa Averett, Stefanie Long, Natoria Williams, Anna Jay and Laura Ashley.

Excel High School’s softball team ended its championship hopes with a 7-3 loss to Geraldine High School and a 20-6 loss to Munford High School Friday in the 2A-3A state tournament at Fain Park in Montgomery.
Excel earned a bid to the state tournament by winning its section tournament at Murphy Park in Excel and by defeating Elba High School in a sub-state series in Excel.
(Top players for Excel that season included Erika Burton, Shandra Gross, Ginger Hollinger and Shelia Jordan. Jim Gibbs was Excel’s head coach.)

Movie ‘Scout’ – Mary Badham speaks to area students Friday morning in the courtroom at the Old Courthouse in downtown Monroeville. Badham, who played the role of “Scout” in the motion picture version of Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, “To Kill a Mockingbird,” discussed the universal themes and messages in the novel.

46 YEARS AGO
MAY 27, 1976

Road to pulp mill site approved: The Monroe County Commission Tuesday approved an agreement under which the state will build a 10-mile road connecting Alabama Highway 41 near Fountain to U.S. 84 at Claiborne.
The paved road, costing an estimated $3.85 million and going through the site of a planned pulp mill on the Alabama River, will be built entirely at state expense. Once it is completed, the county will maintain it at no cost to the state.

The sixth annual Monroe Academy athletic banquet was held Tuesday night, May 18, and the Monroe Academy Volunteer Quarterback Club played host to athletes, cheerleaders, coaches, wives and other guests. More than 300 people attended the event, held in the Vanity Fair Community House.
Topping the list of athletes receiving awards was Jimmy Lambert, who not only took awards as the most valuable player in football and baseball but was awarded the coveted Bill Grant Memorial Award as the most outstanding senior athlete.
(Others receiving awards were Tim Asnip, Karen Crenshaw, Janet Huggins, Mitch Jones, O’Neal Jordan, Lori Lane, Carlisle McClure, James Sales, Cindy Stucky, Melvin Wilson and John Winters.)

Maughon files in Frisco: James Maughon has filed as a candidate for the Frisco City Town Council seat currently held by Gilbert Norris (Place 4).
Maughon, 30, is owner and operator of Frisco City TV Service. He founded his business about five years ago.

71 YEARS AGO
MAY 24, 1951

Monroeville’s new brick and concrete coliseum will be completed by July 1, officials in charge of construction of the structure announced this week.
Monroe County Probate Judge E.T. Millsap said work on the roof has been completed and installation of the building’s 2,000 seats was begun Wednesday with the floor sections having been ordered.
The completion of the new structure will bring to a successful close some two years work by local residents to obtain the necessary funds for its erection.

Locals Win Two In Past Week: William Bayles, Monroeville hurler, pitched a nice six-hit shutout against Atmore last Thursday night as Monroeville won, 1-0, and he took the mound again Tuesday night against Pensacola to scatter 12 hits and defeat the Fliers, 11-5.
The locals also racked up two more exhibition contests as they defeated Haas-Davis of Mobile, 12-11, Saturday night and whipped Saufley Field of Pensacola, 12-6, Sunday afternoon, both games played on the local field. Finlayson went the route against Haas-Davis and Weaver pitched the distance against Saufley.

Goodway Seaman Advances In Rank: Marlon Hendrix, U.S. Navy, formerly of Goodway, Ala., has been advanced in rate to radarman, second class, while serving aboard the aircraft carrier, USS Bataan.
The ship is a unit of the United Nations Blockade and Escort Force in the Far East.
The Bataan has been in action against the Communists in both the Yellow and Japan Seas off Korea since last December.

96 YEARS AGO
MAY 27, 1926

The Manistee & Repton Railroad has handled the heaviest tonnage during the past month than it has for several years, one hundred or more cars of lumber being the outgoing products. The next two months are also expected to show heavy traffic, Irish potatoes and peaches promising heavy tonnage.

Commencement exercises of the Monroe County High School engage the interest of the community this week to the exclusion of almost everything else. On Sunday, Rev. K.B. McCutchen delivered a most thoughtful and impressive discourse, and on each succeeding evening, enjoyable programs have been rendered by students in the various departments. The exercises are being given at the Methodist church, and the building has been packed with patrons and friends on each occasion.

Mr. Rufus Garrett of Uriah is a candidate for member of the County Board of Education. Mr. Garrett has always taken lively interest in progressive education matters and would make a valuable member of the board.

Capt. J.L. Marshall and Mr. L.R. Riley of Monroeville were the only veterans from Monroe County in attendance upon the reunion in Birmingham.

Coley-Blacksher Vocational School Commencement: Commencement exercises of the Coley-Blacksher Vocational School, Vocation, Ala., took place during the early part of the week. The commencement sermon was delivered by Dr. J.M. Glenn of Atmore at Coley Chapel on Sunday.
The annual meeting of the board of trustees of the school was held on Monday and Dr. F.H. Gardner was reelected vice-president and principal.

121 YEARS AGO
MAY 23, 1901

Nothing further has been heard from the gold mine in Monroe, the discovery of which was reported recently.

Messrs. F.P. and F.M. Jones Jr. have accepted positions with W.W. Brown, turpentine distiller, Manistee.

Applicants for Confederate pensions will bear in mind that the examining board will meet in Monroeville on the first Monday in July this year instead of in June as heretofore. Those already on the pension roll need not appear.

Hon. N.J. Stallworth visited the Capital City on the occasion of the assemblage of the constitutional convention.

Messrs. W.G. McCorvey and H.W. Jones went to Montgomery Monday to be present at the opening of the Constitutional Convention.

J.H. Barefield, Esq., delegate from Monroe in the Constitutional Convention, left for Montgomery Saturday, accompanied by Mrs. Barefield.

BURNT CORN: Mr. J.F. Betts, who went to Atlanta some weeks ago to take the morphine cure, is expected home in a few days. Dr. B.J. Shirley left for Atlanta Monday to take the same treatment.

NERO: Last Wednesday quite a number of the people of this place met at Bowdens Landing and enjoyed a nice picnic. The day was spent talking, fishing and strolling. At 12, large and well-filled baskets were coming from every direction.

George Singleton encourages citizens to remember 'D-Day' sacrifices

Landing at Normandy during D-Day invasion. 

(For decades, local historian and paranormal investigator George “Buster” Singleton published a weekly newspaper column called “Somewhere in Time.” The column below, which was titled “Does anyone recall the events of June 6” was originally published in the June 6, 1991 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

Americans are a forgetful people. We tend to let slip many events that did much to mold our lives and our society. We pay little or no attention, especially as the years begin to grow in number. Today (Thursday, June 6) is one of those almost-forgotten dates.

On June 6, 1944, during the frightful days of World War II, the allied forces launched the largest invasion force the world had ever known in hopes of defeating for all time the evil forces of Adolph Hitler’s army. On June 5, Gen. Dwight Eisenhower set into motion a plan that was to lay the groundwork for the Normandy invasion, to be launched the following day. This day would be recorded in history as “D-Day” throughout the world.

Our news media gives little or no attention to this event that changed the whole world. On June 5, 1944, more than 3,000 American and British bombers, protected by the famed P-51 fighters, dropped thousands of tons of bombs on the Nazi forces on the high cliffs that overlooked the beaches of Normandy.

About 176,000 men

The next day, ships from a hundred ports numbering more than 4,000 began crossing the English Channel to put ashore about 176,000 men in the first wave. In less than three weeks, more than 1 million men and 170,000 vehicles made their way across the bloody sands of Normandy beachhead.

Thousands of young men, many no more than 18 or 19, never reached Normandy beach. Many had no combat experience, except for less than eight weeks’ basic training. Bulldozers were used to push aside the thousands of dead bodies to make room for those who followed, coming ashore, to engage the enemy.

Should you visit the many military cemeteries that dot the landscape throughout Europe and see the thousands of white crosses that mark the graves of our fallen soldiers, you will realize that the price was high.

I had a chance to visit one of these cemeteries in 1986. The rows of snow white crosses in the Luxembourg cemetery gave witness to many thousands who sleep there. As I searched for the grave of a cousin who fell in the invasion, I remembered being told that he had not reached his 19^th birthday prior to his death.

As a student in high school, I remember our principal calling an assembly shortly after school started in September and reading aloud the names of those who had fallen that fateful day on the sixth of June. I remember how he wept when he called the names of six young men from a previous graduating class who had fallen on the beaches of Normandy. This class was to lose a total of 14, in both Europe and the Pacific, before the war’s end.

There are those who say that we should bury the past, we should let bygones be bygones. But I believe that we should remember those brave young men who paid the price. We should honor and hold in high esteem those who died in battle so that we can continue to live in this free country as we do today. We should remember those who fell for the cause without having the chance to grow old with their children and their grandchildren.

We, as a nation, cannot know where we are going unless we know where we have been. We cannot forget those who gave their all for a way of life we take for granted. As we remember these millions from all wars, we should realize that they too wanted to live a full life. They didn’t want their lives to end on the blood-soaked sands of Normandy or on some unknown island in the Pacific. They didn’t want it all to end on some frozen hillside in far off Korea or in the steaming jungles of Vietnam or the parched deserts of the Middle East.

Forgiving people

Americans are a forgiving people. For the want of wealth, we sell our homelands to the very ones who tried so hard to destroy that which we have cherished. We turn a forgetful ear to the cries of the millions slain.

The jingle of money pushes from our minds the cries of the dead who wanted just to live and be a part of our tomorrows. We allow our sacred flag to be burned in public places by those who have contributed nothing to our way of life.

One day we must learn that the freedom we take for granted is not free. Freedom has to be wanted. It has to be cherished, and then there comes a time when it has to be fought for and protected.

So, today, on the sixth of June 1991, 47 years since the sands of Normandy beaches turned red with the blood of our brave young men, we need to stop and remember. It doesn’t take much time. Find a quiet spot and lift your arms to the heavens. You will be heard if you are sincere, and those who sleep beneath the snow-white crosses in those forgotten cemeteries throughout the world will know. I guarantee it.

Nor shall your glory be forgotten
While fame her record keeps,
Or honor points the hallowed spot
Where valor proudly sleeps.

(Singleton, the author of the 1991 book “Of Foxfire and Phantom Soldiers,” passed away at the age of 79 on July 19, 2007. A longtime resident of Monroeville, he was born to Vincent William Singleton and Frances Cornelia Faile Singleton, during a late-night thunderstorm, on Dec. 14, 1927 in Marengo County, graduated from Sweet Water High School in 1946, served as a U.S. Marine paratrooper in the Korean War, worked as a riverboat deckhand, lived for a time among Apache Indians, moved to Monroe County on June 28, 1964 and served as the administrator of the Monroeville National Guard unit from June 28, 1964 to Dec. 14, 1987. He was promoted from the enlisted ranks to warrant officer in May 1972. For years, Singleton’s columns, titled “Monroe County history – Did you know?” and “Somewhere in Time” appeared in The Monroe Journal, and he wrote a lengthy series of articles about Monroe County that appeared in Alabama Life magazine. It’s believed that his first column appeared in the March 25, 1971 edition of The Monroe Journal. He also helped organize the Monroe County Museum and Historical Society and was also a past president of that organization. He is buried in Pineville Cemetery in Monroeville. The column above and all of Singleton’s other columns are available to the public through the microfilm records at the Monroe County Public Library in Monroeville. Singleton’s columns are presented here each week for research and scholarship purposes and as part of an effort to keep his work and memory alive.)

Family tradition says name for ‘Tekoa’ community comes from Bible

Old school house at Tekoa, Alabama.

A couple of weeks ago in this space, I wrote about a trip that I took to the old Tekoa community, about seven miles from downtown Monroeville. In that column, I talked about the somewhat murky origins of that community’s name. Not long after that week’s paper hit the streets, I heard from several readers who were able to supply more details about how Tekoa got its name.

The day after the newspaper came out, I was walking out of the post office on the square and encountered local attorney Milton Coxwell. Those of you who know Mr. Coxwell will know that he is impressively well versed in local history. We chatted for a few minutes on the sidewalk, and he told me that he’d always heard that Tekoa was named by early settler Amos Stacey, who’d been told that the Old Testament prophet Amos was from the Biblical town of Tekoa, located in the hill country of Judah, near Bethlehem.

I recognized the name of Amos Stacey immediately because he is my fourth great-grandfather, but I had no clue about his connection with the Tekoa community. It should be noted that numerous other readers in the audience are also descended from Amos Stacey. Off the top of my head, I know that Trae Stacey, Derek Stacey and Wes Nall, who are all around my age, are all direct descendants of this Monroe County pioneer.

When it comes to all things related to the Stacey family, I defer to local historian Steve Stacey, who is also a direct descendant of Amos Stacey. Steve, who has studied the Stacey family for decades, said that the story of the Tekoa name coming from the Bible is a story that’s repeated in all three lines of the Amos Stacey family. Amos was born in South Carolina in 1803 and lived to be 96 years old. He’s buried in the Polar Bridge Cemetery at Manistee, like so many other Stacey kin.

Not long after the first Tekoa story came out a couple of weeks ago, I also heard from Excel’s Aaron White, the dean of Monroe County photographers. Aaron sent me a picture of the old school at Tekoa, which I’ve included with this week’s story. The old school at Tekoa harkens back to the days when just about every community of any size had its own little school.

Steve noted that the old school his grandfather attended still stands today and is known as the Stinson House. His grandfather’s house was in a place called “Pordu.” Steve jokingly said that this word comes from being “too poor to do.”

In the end, I’d like to hear from anyone in the reading audience with more information about the old Tekoa community. I’m especially interested in any old ghost stories, local legends or Indian lore from this part of the county. If you know of anything along these lines, please let me know.

Wilcox County is no stranger to riverboat accidents, sinkings

Last week in this space, I wrote about the sinking of The Henderson, a famous riverboat, in April 1825. That story generated a lot of conversation among local history buffs about other Alabama River riverboat accidents in Wilcox County. Over the past 200 years, there have been countless riverboat accidents and sinkings on the Alabama River, but the two most famous with Wilcox County ties are the sinkings of the Orline St. John and the Sunny South.

The Orline St. John was a 349-ton side-wheel steamboat that caught fire and burned on the Alabama River on March 5, 1850. On its way from Mobile to Montgomery, it was overloaded with 120 passengers and crew and tons of valuable cargo. The boat caught fire when sparks, most likely from the ship’s boilers, ignited its cargo of highly-flammable, resin-soaked pine logs.

The ship’s crew, led by Capt. Timothy Meaher, ran the ship aground, but not before many aboard burned alive or drowned after jumping into the cold waters of the Alabama River. In all, at least 40 people lost their lives on the final voyage of the Orline St. John, including every woman and child aboard. In the aftermath, some bodies were found weeks later as far as 75 miles downriver.

The sinking of the Orline St. John was international news at the time with reports of the disaster appearing in newspapers as far away as London and Paris. Today, the most visible remnant of the Orline St. John disaster can be found in the historic Camden Cemetery. Just a short walk from the Fall Street entrance to the graveyard, you’ll find a pile of old bricks over what is said to be a mass grave where the victims of the Orline St. John riverboat tragedy were laid to rest.

Much less is apparently known about the sinking of the Sunny South. This sidewheel riverboat was built in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1860 and caught fire and sank in January of 1867. On its way between Montgomery and New Orleans, it was loaded with passengers and a cargo of over 1,000 bales of cotton. Reports vary, but it’s said that a fire in the boat’s kitchen most likely resulted in the ship’s sinking.

No one was reportedly killed in the Sunny South sinking, but it did lose its cargo of 1,045 bales of cotton. Today, the most visible remnant of this old steamboat is the town of Sunny South, which takes its name from the old steamer. Exactly where this riverboat sank is up for debate with some saying that it sank near Portland, while others say it sank near the present-day town of Sunny South.

In the end, I’d like to hear from anyone in the reading audience with more information about the Orline St. John and the Sunny South. Also, let me hear from you if you know of any other riverboat accidents in the Alabama River in Wilcox County. No doubt there are many other old riverboat wrecks that lie beneath the muddy waters of the river, just waiting to be rediscovered.

Wilcox County, Alabama News Flashback for May 25, 2022

Mexican general Santa Anna.

81 YEARS AGO
MAY 22, 1941

THOMAS A. STEED: Thomas A. Steed of Sunny South, well-known citizen of Wilcox and a friend to many, died in a Selma hospital on Wed., May 14, 1941 after a long illness. Mr. Steed was born at Sunny South Dec. 30, 1857 and in 1892 he was happily married to Miss Emma Connerly of Choctaw Corner, the daughter of a Methodist preacher. She preceded him to the Great Beyond several years ago.

DR. EMMETT KILPATRICK: The address of Dr. Emmett Kilpatrick Tuesday evening to the Wilcox County graduating class of 1941 was brilliant, eloquent and inspirational. His tribute to the beloved Woodrow Wilson of the “long ago” brought a thrill to at least one heart in the vast audience, who also called him her hero, and on any and all occasions, never failed to sing his praises as is known to members of a certain club in Camden.

CAMDEN APARTMENT HOUSE DESTROYED BY FIRE: The apartment house in Camden, owned by Mr. H.B. Hawthorne, was destroyed by fire on Wednesday afternoon. Good work of the volunteer fire department kept the blaze from reaching adjoining buildings.
Mr. Hawthorne and the occupants of the house wish to thank everyone for their help and to especially thank the good people of our community.
The citizens of Camden appreciate the City of Selma sending a number of men and a fire truck to assist in curbing this fire.

Dr. K.A. Mayer of Peach Tree was a Camden visitor Wednesday.

93 YEARS AGO
MAY 23, 1929

Wilcox County High School Closes Successful Year: The commencement exercises of the Wilcox County High School were held, beginning Fri., May 17, and ending Tues., May 21.
The graduating exercises were held on Tuesday at 8 p.m. Miss Sallie Lyles was Salutatorian, and Miss Mattie Frances Dunn, Valedictorian, of the class.
Members of the class were Sam Bigger, Sarah Bonner, James Bonner, Josiah Bonner, Edna Campbell, Mattie Frances Dunn, Lila Bell Dunn, Gordon Dannelly, William Dannelly, Leonard Gavin, Wilbur Gray, Clarence Jones, Clem Jones, Sallie Lyles, James Lawler, Blanchard McLeod, Hattie Ratcliffe, Edwin Riggs, Bertha Rogers, William Reed, Evelyn Starr, Edgar Skinner and Robert Stuart.

Large Black Bass: Jack Hunt of Camden caught a Black Bass (trout) in Rock West Creek yesterday that weighed 7-3/4 pounds. The trout was said by many to be the largest ever seen in this section. Let’s hear from you Isaak Waltons’ about large fish.

Mr. P.E. Jones Jr. is at home for the summer vacation. He was principal at the Peach Tree school during the past session.

In Sunday’s Birmingham News, we see a lovely picture of Miss Eleanor Ervin, daughter of Judge Robert Tait Ervin of Mobile. Judge Ervin was born and reared near Camden and is one of our citizens of whom we are justly proud. He holds the position of Federal Judge, the same that his great-grandfather, Charles Tait, held.

104 YEARS AGO
MAY 23, 1918

The people of Camden will be asked to observe Memorial day the 30^th day of this month and to unite with the Christian people of the county in keeping a day of fasting and prayer for the success of our arms in France. This is in obedience to the President’s proclamation.

Mr. F.H. Savage has received a card from his son, Fred, stating that he has been transferred to the Officers Training School at Camp Jackson. Fred left Camden in the last quota and his selection to the Officers Training school is quite a compliment to him. We doubt not but he will make good in every way.

Young Jake Marcus showed great self possession in his declamation on Monday evening when the lights went out. He went through his speech without hesitation and did himself credit. He came second in the contest. The committee had difficulty in deciding between Alford, Marcus and Lawler. Alford came first, Marcus second and Lawler third in the decision of the committee.

Miss L.A. Hill of San Marcus, Texas was a visitor to Camden this week. Miss Hill is a very talented woman, being a contributor to magazines and other periodicals. She is also a composer of music and songs. Her father, a corporal in the war that freed Texas from the yoke of Mexico, was one of the three men who captured Santa Anna at San Jacinto. Her mother was a member of one of Alabama’s most prominent families. Miss Hill is a niece of Ben H. Hill of Georgia.

118 YEARS AGO
MAY 26, 1904

Meeting of Dale Lodge Friday night, members are requested to come promptly at 7:30 o’clock.

Our School Closes: Our school closes with exercises on Thursday and Friday nights, May 27^th and 28^th. Public invited. We hope there will be a general turn out in good order and a feast of good things for our children. What about school for next year? Our active trustees will work after this at once.

Mr. W.L. Hayes Dead: We have just learned of the death of County Superintendent of Education, W.L. Hayes. He died at his home in Boiling Springs on yesterday (Wednesday) morning at four o’clock. This is a deep source of regret and sorrow to his many friends.

Mrs. Richebourg Gaillard of Mobile has issued invitations to the marriage of her daughter, Miss Anita Augusta, to Mr. William Whitfield Croom on the evening of Tues., June 7, 1904 at seven o’clock in the Christ Church, Mobile, Alabama.

A calf in vigorous health got out of the enclosure at Mrs. Hunter’s, ran down town and fell dead. This animal was the picture of health, finest specimen of Jersey heifer to be seen and nothing to indicate other than vigorous health. Its mother since has made life unbearable by its continuous weeping and lowing for its young. We can perhaps guess the meaning of the troubled heart of an old cow, but none can guess the amount of anguish of the troubled of an old heart.

Misses Macey and Mattie Lou Fuller of Nadawah attended the recitation of the elocutionist, Miss Georgia Ray MacMillan, Monday night at the Court House.

135 YEARS AGO
MAY 25, 1887

Mr. W.L. Fluker of Boiling Springs was in town last Tuesday. His store was entirely destroyed by fire about a month ago. Since then he has erected a larger and more convenient building. Success to all such enterprising men.

Mr. Sterling Brown brought in a cotton stalk about 16 inches high of luxuriant growth with five or six squares. He is a young farmer who leads his hands with the hoe or between the plow shares, and all he requires of a hand is to do as much work in a day as he does. Sterling is made of the right stuff.

Rev. R.W. Barnwell of Selma will deliver the Baccalauriate sermon for the Camden Male and Female Academy at the Presbyterian Church Sunday, June 12, at 11 o’clock. The school children will assemble at the Institute and march to the church in a body.
Col. S.W. John of Selma will deliver the anniversary address at the Institute during the commencement exercises Friday night, June 17.
Both of these gentlemen are able and talented, therefore the people can expect something rich and brilliant.

The picnic given at Farmers Landing near Black’s Bluff last Saturday was a grand success. Over three hundred people were present. The table was bountifully supplied with all that an epicurean could wish.

The Spring Term of the Circuit Court was organized Monday at 12 p.m. Judge Moore in his usually explicit, forcible and able manner delivered his charge to the Grand Jury. Mr. Sol. D. Bloch of Camden was made foreman.

The Evergreen Courant's News Flashback for May 24, 2022

22 YEARS AGO
MAY 25, 2000

Weather observer Harry Ellis reported 0.95 inches of rain on May 21. He also reported a high of 92 degrees on May 17 and a low of 55 on May 15.

Groundbreaking held for new jail: What has been called by many a “giant step in the fight against crime” came one step closer to reality Wednesday.
The Conecuh County Commission joined with local law enforcement agencies and city officials to unearth the first shovelfuls of dirt at the site of the future Conecuh County Jail.
The new Conecuh County Jail will be a state-of-the-art facility consisting of slightly more than 21,000 square feet of floor space capable of housing 75 to 100 inmates with an additional component set aside for the housing of juvenile offenders. This facility is designed in compliance with all applicable regulations and practices for secure housing of inmates and will be built at a total cost of $3,368,194.
The project is scheduled for completion within 348 calendar days from Wednesday and will be located at the intersection of Liberty Street and Belleview Avenue in downtown Evergreen.

EverFUN opened Saturday: Ribbon-cutting ceremonies were held Saturday for the EverFun playground at Evergreen Municipal Park.
City officials as well as event organizers were present for the special event which concluded with a release of all children present into the playground.

48 YEARS AGO
MAY 22, 1975

Evergreen weather observer Earl Windham reported 0.8 inches of rain on May 14 and 0.4 inches on May 16. He also reported a high of 86 degrees on May 13 and lows of 60 on May 13 and May 18.

Honor students of the graduating class of Evergreen High School this year are Kim McNeil, valedictorian; Ola Mae Meeks, salutatorian; Suzzetta Rogers and Willie C. Johnson.

Lynn Cook Daw is valedictorian of the graduating class at Sparta Academy. She is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. John R. Cook.

Terri Rabun is the salutatorian of the graduating class at Sparta Academy. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Rabun.

Homer Duel Holland, son of Mr. and Mrs. R.T. Holland Jr., is the valedictorian of the graduating class at Conecuh County High School, Castleberry.

Victoria Pope, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Pope, is the salutatorian of the graduating class at Conecuh County High School, Castleberry.

Wynell Waren is valedictorian of the graduating class at Repton High School. Mitchell Bell is salutatorian at Repton High School.

Honor students in the graduating class at Lyeffion High School this year are Raymond Bruce, Christine Taylor, Debbie Grace, Jim Wiggins, Debbie Grimes, salutatorian, Elaine Salter, valedictorian, Ricky Gaskey and Albert Ball.

72 YEARS AGO
MAY 25, 1950

Seven persons lost their lives in a tragic auto-truck collision here early Saturday morning. The accident happened on the outskirts of Evergreen on the Loree road at about 6:15 Saturday morning. The site was within the city limits and the accident investigated by city authorities.

Fifteen members of the Evergreen Volunteer Fire Department received certificates at graduation ceremonies last (Wednesday) night ending the 12-week school and training program conducted here.
The following firemen received certificates: Chief Ed Carrier, Assistant Chief Forrest Douglas, C.E. Carrier, H.S. Dunn, J.H. Dunn, John Thompson, W.L. Thames, Henry Powell, James Nall, Winston Pierce, J.W. Weaver, Randolph Moorer Jr., Woodford Bolton, Wilbur Hamilton and A.B. Johnson.

Bill Langham will receive his high school diploma at Evergreen High School Friday night thus ending one of the most super-perfect attendance records ever compiled by a local student. Since he entered the first grade in September 1938, Bill has never been absent or tardy – 12 years of school present every day and on time every time.

Evergreen High School will award diplomas to 55 students at graduation exercises Friday night. The program will be held in Memorial Gymnasium to afford room for the large number of people expected to attend.

98 YEARS AGO
MAY 27, 1925

Knights of the Ku Klux Klan will hold on Open Air Celebration at the Old Ball Park, Greenville, Tuesday Night, June 9, 7:30 – Wonderful Fireworks Display, Public Naturalization of 150 Candidates, Address by a Noted Orator – A Special Train will be run by Konekuh Kounty Klan No. 74, and will leave Evergreen at 6:15 p.m. to return after Celebration, Fair For Round Trip Only $2.15 – THE PUBLIC IS CORDIALLY INVITED – Klan No. 12 – Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, Greenville, Alabama.

EVERGREEN CHAPTER ROYAL ARCH MASONS ELECT OFFICERS: At a regular convention of Evergreen Chapter No. 127, Royal Arch Masons, held last Friday night, the following officers were elected for the ensuing year: W.F. Betts, High Priest; Robert Long, King; J.T. Amos, Scribe; J.R. Brooks, Capt. Of the Host; J.F. Murphee, R.A.C.; G.M. Jones, Master of Third Veil; L.T. Rutland, Master of Second Veil; W.S. Dreaden, Master of First Veil; J.F. Dean, Secretary; J.T. Williams, Treasurer. Eleven new members were selected.

SSAS COMMENCEMENT: Tuesday night, Dr. A.F. Harmon, Superintendent of Education of Montgomery County, delivered one of his characteristic addresses to the graduating class (of the State Secondary Agricultural School) to a well filled house at the city school auditorium. The following named young men and women composed the graduating class and to whom diplomas were awarded: Lucile Barfield, Edith Cunningham, Mary Dean, Irma Kelly, Leona Moore, Leola Sanders, Voncile Smith, Erin Stallworth, Corinne Shaver, Mildred Williams, Henry Dey, Oliver Sanders and Howard Orr.

The Evergreen Courant's Sports Flashback for May 23, 2022

Wendell Hart

22 YEARS AGO
MAY 25, 2000

Wendell Hart Scholarship applications now available: The Evergreen Rotary Club, administrators of the Wendell Hart Scholarship Fund, announces that applications for the $2,500 scholarship are now available.
This scholarship is dedicated to the memory of the late Coach Wendell Hart, who deeply cared for his students and desired that all deserving young men and women be able to advance their education.

47 YEARS AGO
MAY 22, 1975

Jr. League begins play: The Evergreen Junior Baseball League opened the 1975 season with two games Tuesday night. The games were played before a large crowd of fans at Ward Alexander Memorial Park.
The Orioles edged out the Pelicans 12-11 in the opening game, and the Giants blasted the Yankees 13-4 in the nightcap.

The Farm Bureau Softball Team, sponsored by Conecuh-Monroe Gas District, won first place in the Andalusia Invitational Tournament on May 10. Shown are Keith Pugh, Reggie Smith, Lavon Tolbert, Sid Lambert, Jimmy Lambert, Gary Faulkner, Tommy Johnson, Mike Turner, Ed Smith, manager of Conecuh-Monroe, Doug Williams, Roger Faulkner, Wayne Peacock, Homer Faulkner, Gary Smith, Donnie Brewton, Jack White and Jerry Johnson. Not shown: Buddy Monroe, Stanley Aaron and Pete Hicks.

72 YEARS AGO
MAY 25, 1950

Greenies Play Atmore Here This Afternoon: The Evergreen Greenies will try to get back on the victory trail again this afternoon, but they must overcome some tough opposition to do it. The Greenies have a matinee engagement with the second place Atmore nine in a Dixie Amateur League game here in Brooks Stadium.
Last Thursday night, the Greenies suffered their second loss at the hands of the undefeated, league-leading Monroeville team in Monroeville 8-2. Sunday’s game here with Jay was rained out.
Sunday afternoon the Greenies play a doubleheader with Bay Minette in Bay Minette. Bay Minette is the only team in the league that the Greenies have not yet played. Their first game was rained out.

C’vill, Flat Rock Tie; Shreve Whips Paul 6-2: The Shreve Eagles scored early to defeat the Paul Aces 6-2 Sunday behind the steady pitching of Ferrell Smith. The Eagles bunched their hits to score three runs in the first and a like number in the second. The Aces rallied to score single runs in the fifth and seventh innings, but couldn’t catch up.
Harold Godwin settled down after the first two innings and blanked Shreve the rest of the way. Leroy Smith caught for Shreve and Bertie Hassel was behind the plate for Paul.
The win pushed Shreve into second place in the Conecuh Amateur League. The loss shoved Paul further into the cellar. The Aces have lost five in as many starts.
Flat Rock almost upset the undefeated, league-leading Centerville Rookies in the league’s other game Sunday. The Rockets scored a single run in the fourth and that was all the scoring until Centerville pushed across a counter in the eighth to tie it up. That’s the way it ended, 1-1, after nine innings.
The game featured a tight pitching duel between Flat Rock’s James Barlow and Centerville’s J.W. Windham. Delano Smith and Jim Windham shared the catching chores for Centerville. Huston Barlow was behind the plate for Flat Rock.
Flat Rock slipped into third place from a second place tie with Shreve. Sunday Shreve plays Flat Rock and Centerville meets Paul in Paul.

Bonnie King, Junior White Win EHS Golf Tourney: Evergreen High School’s first intramural golf tournament was won by Bonnie King and Hobson “Junior” White last Saturday. The nine-hole matches were played at the Evergreen Golf Course. Bonnie won out in the eight-man senior flight and Junior bested the 16 juniors. Players from the 10^th, 11^th and 12^th grades made up the senior flight and those in the 7^th, 8^th and 9^th grades were in the junior flight.
The tournament was organized by Coach John Lockwood as part of the Evergreen High physical education program. Coach Lockwood has been giving instruction in golf in his P.E. classes for several weeks. The tournament was run under the direction of Coach Wendell Hart.
(Other players in the tourney included Wayne Bell, Dickey Bozeman, Pace Bozeman, John Henry Brantley, Don Cunningham, Jimmy Frazier, James Indindoli, Leslie Johnson, Norman Johnson, Billy Mudge Lee, Billy Lewis, Gillis Morgan, Pete Moseley, Don Pate, Roger Peacock, Bayne Petrey, John Greel Ralls, James Ryan, George Salter, Clarence Smith, Bobby Frank Snowden and Charles Williams.)

122 YEARS AGO
MAY 27, 1925

Baseball fans are delighted with the intelligence that Grady Vaughn will have charge of the Evergreen team again this season.

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

USS Newport News

22 YEARS AGO
MAY 25, 2000

Blacksher history published: J.U. Blacksher School students in Patricia McCullers’ community history class recently published a complete volume of the school’s history that documents the history of education in a small rural portion of southern Monroe County.
McCullers said it took two academic years of studying local history to put local events in the context of state and national history.
She said that she began the project with her students because she thought that a publication such as this would draw attention to the community history course and serve the community well.

Monroe Academy holds spring sports banquet: Monroe Academy’s Nathan Stokes was the recipient of the Bill Grant Memorial Award at the 2000 Spring Sports Banquet Thursday night.
In baseball, Bruce White and Chris Caldwell won the Gold Glove Awards; Justin Allred, the Highest Batting Average; Chris Majors, the Coach’s Award and seniors White and Triple Sawyer were named captains.
In softball, Jennifer Johnson was named the Most Valuable Player; Sara Lee won the Coach’s Award and Elizabeth Lane was named the captain.

Sandy Smith, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce, presented the 18 members of the Leadership Now class with graduation certificates last Thursday at the Monroeville Water Tower Conference Center. Those graduates included Phillip Allen, Brett Cox, Vicky Dunn, Harvey Gaston, Paul England, Mark Hendrix, Cindy Martin, Emilie Martin, Greg Martin, Jack McKnight, Mike Metts, Linda North, Johnnye Peacock, Allan Sizemore, Dennis Stabler, Bob Turk, Tim Waters and Jeff Vermilyea.

47 YEARS AGO
MAY 22, 1975

Cecil White dies Monday from illness: Cecil White, executive director of the Monroeville and Evergreen housing authorities and a former Monroeville city clerk, died Monday at Monroe County Hospital following a brief illness. Mr. White, 52, served as Monroeville city clerk for 10-1/2 years before becoming housing authority director in October 1971.
He was secretary of the Monroeville Planning Commission; active in the Monroeville Lions and Civitan clubs; treasurer of Monroeville’s York Rite Bodies; senior warden of Alabama Lodge No. 3, Masonic Order; and a member of the Abba Shrine Temple.

Johnny Bartlett, third baseman and ace hitter for the Monroe County High School Tigers for the past four years, has been chosen to play in the Lions all-star game set for Saturday in Mobile. He was chosen for the honor after leading the East to an 11-4 win over the West in a preliminary game in Jackson Sunday. Bartlett was the only Monroe County player chosen to attend, although Scott Higginbotham of MCHS was chosen as an alternate.

Storage for the state: The city-owned lot at the corner of Cherry Street and heavily-traveled Pineville Road in Monroeville has been used by the state Highway Department to store construction materials for more than a year. Mayor W.H. “Jack” Hines expects that usage to continue until widening of Pineville Road is completed; the start of that widening is awaiting completion of right-of-way acquisition. This tract was intended as the location of Monroeville’s new city hall, but that project has been dropped indefinitely because of the cost.

72 YEARS AGO
MAY 25, 1950

Diplomas were awarded Monday night during a special class night program at Frisco City High School. Members of the class receiving diplomas were Ralph L. Baas, Curtis H. Blanton, Isaac D. Byrd, Honnie Ree Chaudron, Thomas J. King, Frank L. Lynam, William H. Sawyer, Foye O. Stacey, Charles Walston, Doris Bodiford, Barbara Lambert, Odie Jo Petty, Betty J. Sims, Odessa Stacey, Verdie Stinson, Etheleen Stucky and William G. Byrd.

Monroeville Captures Sixth Straight, Defeating Evergreen 8-2 Thursday: Monroeville maintained its unblemished record in Dixie League play last week, trimming Evergreen 8-2 Thursday night behind the effective five-hit hurling of left-hander Bill Hite.
For Monroeville, Grady Gaston and LeVaughan Hanks, with two hits each for five times up, led at the plate. Winning pitcher was Hite.
(Other Monroeville players in that game included Al Clenner, Robert Riley, Hop Stevens and Joe Tucker.)

Uriah Sailor Schedules Return To States May 28: Walter G. Ikner, boilermaker, third class, U.S. Navy, of Rt. 1, Uriah, is scheduled to arrive in Norfolk, Va., May 28, after a four-month cruise in the Mediterranean as a crew member of the heavy cruiser, USS Newport News. While in the Mediterranean, he was afforded an opportunity to visit many of the countries in Europe, Asia and Africa.

97 YEARS AGO
MAY 28, 1925

County Superintendent G.A. Harris will leave early next week to continue his post-graduate studies at the University of Alabama.

EARLY COTTON BLOOM: The first cotton bloom of the season was brought to The Journal office Tues., May 26, by Mr. F.H. Melton, one of the most successful farmers in the Monroeville area. The stalk on which the bloom appeared had 17 well developed forms, and the bloom is two weeks earlier than last season. Mr. Melton has four acres of cotton planted early and reports the condition and prospect the most promising in his experience.

DEATH OF T.L. GRIFFIN AND WIFE: Mr. T.L. Griffin and his wife died at their home near Franklin last Friday under peculiarly sad circumstances. Both had been stricken with pneumonia some time before and the one was unable to give attention to the other. When the physician was called on Friday, he found that Mrs. Griffin had passed away unknown to her husband. Mr. Griffin succumbed a few hours later. Two small children survive them.

SENIOR CLASS ENTERTAINED: The Monroeville Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, delightfully entertained the Senior Class of the Monroe County High School at the lovely new home of Mrs. R.D. Hendrix, secretary of the Chapter, on Friday evening of last week. Numerous games were enjoyed, after which gift packages consisting of dainty silk handkerchiefs for the girls and pocket combs in leather cases for the boys were distributed, each bearing a suitable sentiment read by Miss Benie Carter.

122 YEARS AGO
MAY 24, 1900

A most deplorable tragedy occurred near Carlisle on Wednesday night. A son of Mr. Sam Simmons was sent by his father on some errand to the house of a man living on the place. The young man, thinking to have some fun at the expense of the man, put on a fantastic masque and presented himself at the cabin. The man in his fright at the startling apparition, seized his gun and fired, the whole charge taking effect in the body of the unfortunate young man, death resulting in a short time. The parents have profound sympathy in their distress and grief.

Col. B.L. Hibbard and Mr. J.S. Harrengton attended a picnic at Pineville Friday in celebration of the close of Prof. Dale’s school. Three gold medals were awarded for general excellence in the respective grades, the successful competitors being Misses Jennie Stallworth and Jennie Andress and Ivey. The medals were delivered with an appropriate speech by Col. Hibbard.

Mr. G.A. Tuthill of Claiborne was here Wednesday in search of a pair of mules that strayed from his place a few days ago.

Mr. George W. Salter Jr. of Evergreen stopped over en route to Selma and spent Sunday with his brother, the editor of this paper.

Kempville, Ala., May 21, 1900 – Editor Journal: Please say through The Journal that the examination of teachers will be held at the courthouse on the first Monday in June, beginning at 10 o’clock a.m. No teacher will be allowed to take the examination who is not present at the opening. – C.W. McClure, County Superintendent of Education.

JONES MILL: The Bear Creek Mill Co. is extending its log road in Wild Fork.

No one remembers who dug the old soap stone spring at Lone Star

Soap stone spring.

(For decades, local historian and paranormal investigator George “Buster” Singleton published a weekly newspaper column called “Somewhere in Time.” The column below, which was titled “Soap stone spring a mystery” was originally published in the Aug. 7, 1975 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

I’m always amazed at the way things show up when you least expect it. Old places and things that have gone unnoticed for many, many years seem to just pop up out of the ground and demand to be seen.

This is the case of the old spring located near the Earl Brooks home in the Lone Star community. The old spring has waited all these years on the side of a steep hill, spilling its cold water down the slope for any who thirst.

But the water has gone untouched all these years because no longer does the weary traveler pass this way. No longer is the thirsty team unhitched from their load for a refreshing drink after a long pull through the hills to the north.

Who dug spring?

No one remembers who dug the spring. Reliable information has been passed down through the Brooks family since the early 1820s. And always, when the earlier generations were asked about who dug the spring, the answer was always the same. “It was there when I was a child, or my parents don’t remember; it was there when we were children.”

So the story goes, and there aside the steep hill, the old, old spring, with its cool water running, trickling down the steep slope, holds its secret. Somewhere back through time a thirsty traveler lingered, lingered long enough to carve from the soap stone cliff a basin where the water could collect and refresh the wanderer who passed this way.

Life-giving water

Or maybe somewhere through the years the Red Man lingered here to drink the life-giving water, and to heal his wounds from battles past. Who knows? The spring is just another mystery; a part of some untold legend, one of the many that fade away with the passing scene.

(That week’s paper also included the following Letter to the Editor.)

Singleton column gives glimpse of quiet places, interesting people

Dear Editor:

I was quite pleased to see Mr. George Singleton’s feature articles appear in The Journal once more. I had missed them very much.

Through his eyes and words, those of us who haven’t seen these quiet places of beauty or met the interesting people that he has in his travels, feel as though we, indeed, have done so!

When he described so vividly a waterfall and pool recently, I could almost feel the spray of the water on my face and visualize youngsters of another time, splashing and playing in the cool pond beneath it.

I wanted to express my pleasure and appreciation to Mr. Singleton for bringing us these glimpses of a bygone era and to The Monroe Journal for presenting these again for the enjoyment of its readers.

His writings make one wonder why the residents of Monroe County need go elsewhere to search for beauty and history, when we have so much of it in our own surroundings.

Mrs. John Harper

(Singleton, the author of the 1991 book “Of Foxfire and Phantom Soldiers,” passed away at the age of 79 on July 19, 2007. A longtime resident of Monroeville, he was born to Vincent William Singleton and Frances Cornelia Faile Singleton, during a late-night thunderstorm, on Dec. 14, 1927 in Marengo County, graduated from Sweet Water High School in 1946, served as a U.S. Marine paratrooper in the Korean War, worked as a riverboat deckhand, lived for a time among Apache Indians, moved to Monroe County on June 28, 1964 and served as the administrator of the Monroeville National Guard unit from June 28, 1964 to Dec. 14, 1987. He was promoted from the enlisted ranks to warrant officer in May 1972. For years, Singleton’s columns, titled “Monroe County history – Did you know?” and “Somewhere in Time” appeared in The Monroe Journal, and he wrote a lengthy series of articles about Monroe County that appeared in Alabama Life magazine. It’s believed that his first column appeared in the March 25, 1971 edition of The Monroe Journal. He also helped organize the Monroe County Museum and Historical Society and was also a past president of that organization. He is buried in Pineville Cemetery in Monroeville. The column above and all of Singleton’s other columns are available to the public through the microfilm records at the Monroe County Public Library in Monroeville. Singleton’s columns are presented here each week for research and scholarship purposes and as part of an effort to keep his work and memory alive.)

Questions remain about the sinking of 'The Henderson' at Old Claiborne

U.S. Highway 84 Bridge at Claiborne, Alabama.

Old Claiborne is the most intriguing historic site in all of Monroe County, and hardly a month goes by that I don’t venture down there to see the river, if only for a few minutes. Last Thursday was one such day as I took a short field trip to see how many fishermen were making use of the boat landing at the Claiborne-Murphy Bridge.

My arrival found a couple of fishermen stowing their life jackets so they wouldn’t blow away during their ride home. They gave me a cursory wave as I eased by, and their expressions told me that they were either too hot or that the fish weren’t biting. I parked out of the way and got out for a stroll down to the riverside. It was a muggy and the smell of river mud was strong. On the upshot, there wasn’t a mosquito in sight.

A few minutes later, I was standing alone on the bank, my boots caked in soft mud that was beginning to turn gray as it dried. There wasn’t a boat in sight, and the only thing disturbing the quiet afternoon was the “whump-whump” of an 18-wheeler headed west over the bridge towards Grove Hill. High overhead, the black shape of a large bird, maybe a buzzard, wheeled in the sky.

For whatever reason, my thoughts turned to “The Henderson,” a 123-ton riverboat that sank about one mile from where I stood, nearly two centuries ago, in April 1825. The Henderson was the boat that brought French General Lafayette to Claiborne just a few weeks before she struck another riverboat, The Balize, and sank beneath the muddy waters of the Alabama River. His fame largely forgotten today, Lafayette was a Revolutionary War hero, and he is arguably one of the most famous celebrities to ever visit Monroe County.

There are many tales about The Henderson, but perhaps the most famous of these is the story of its lost cargo. Among other valuables, the riverboat was said to have carried a large shipment of fine whiskey, wine and brandy in large wooden barrels. Some believe that this cargo remains buried in the mud south of the Claiborne-Murphy Bridge.

I’ve heard accounts over the years that divers have attempted to recover (sometimes secretly) The Henderson’s cargo, but whether of not this is true is unknown. Some say the wreckage is still down there if you know where to look, while others say that dredging years ago destroyed the wreckage. The truth may lie in some combination of these murky stories.

In the end, I’d like to hear from anyone in the reading audience with more information about The Henderson. Perhaps some readers know exactly where this old riverboat came to rest. Others might be willing to show me on a map where it sank beneath the river’s waters. Of course, if you want to take me to the actual spot, I’m game, because I’m always up for a field trip, especially if it involves Old Claiborne.

Wilcox Home Ruler newspaper tells of riverboat sinking in April 1825

Claiborne, Alabama. 

One of the most famous river boats of Alabama’s early history was “The Henderson.” This 123-ton vessel plied the waters of the Alabama River in the days when Alabama was a young state, carrying passengers and cargo to and from all points between Montgomery and Mobile. No doubt, it made many stops in Wilcox County in those days of early Alabama statehood.

The Henderson’s biggest claim to fame is that it is recognized by many Alabama historians as the boat on which French General Lafayette made his voyage down the Alabama River in 1825. Lafayette, who was an old man at the time, made his way through Alabama as part of a tour he was making of the United States. He visited Montgomery, Selma, Cahaba, Claiborne and Mobile before going on to points west.

Lafayette was expected to stop at Prairie Bluff when he passed through Wilcox County, but he actually skipped this stop, much to the chagrin of those who were expecting him. The Masonic lodge at Prairie Bluff had been named in Lafayette’s honor, but when he didn’t stop, lodge members changed the lodge’s name to Dale Masonic Lodge in honor of early Alabama frontiersman, Samuel Dale. This lodge later moved to Camden, and it still carries the name “Dale Lodge” to this day.

The Henderson and Lafayette did stop at Claiborne on April 6, 1825. Little did anyone know at that time, but the Henderson’s days were numbered. About three weeks later, on April 27, the Henderson collided with another vessel, the Balize, and sank about one mile south of Claiborne landing.

The best source of information about this accident actually comes from an old Camden newspaper called The Wilcox Home Ruler. The newspaper reported that the Henderson went down with a load of “barrels of fine whiskey, brandy and wines.” The Camden paper’s description of the watery resting place of the Henderson specifies no exact location other than “she sank in tolerable deep water” one mile from Claiborne.

Some say that in years past, when the river got low during seasonal droughts, you could see the wreckage of the Henderson. Supposedly numerous attempts have been made to salvage its cargo, but whether or not those efforts were successful is unknown. Many believe that the Henderson’s cargo remains untouched beneath the muddy waters of the Alabama River.

Many also believe that Wilcox County’s namesake, U.S. Army Lt. Joseph M. Wilcox, is still buried in an unmarked grave at Claiborne. Records reflect that he was buried at Claiborne after he was killed by Indians during the Creek War in 1814. Some sources say that he was later reburied in the Camden Cemetery, where you’ll find a headstone for him today. Others say that his body was never actually moved.

In the end, let me hear from you if you have any additional information about the Henderson or any other river boat wrecks on the Alabama River. I would not be surprised to hear that there are numerous old wreck sites in Wilcox County that remain intact to this day. Some may contain cargo even more valuable than the Henderson’s lost load of whiskey, brandy and wine.

Wilcox County, Alabama News Flashback for May 18, 2022

A "Prairie Schooner."

80 YEARS AGO
MAY 21, 1942

DOG VACCINATION FOR NEXT WEEK: On Thurs., May 28, 1942, the rabies inspector will be at Bursons Store at 1 p.m.; Vick’s Store at 2; Sessions at 3; and Pebble Hill at 4. The cooperation by dog owners is appreciated. – Dr. Monroe Thompson, Wilcox County Rabies Inspector.

Judge Stonewall McConnico is in Montgomery where he is receiving treatment at an Infirmary there. His Wilcox friends are wishing for him a speedy recovery.

NOTICE: The Rationing Board is now located on the first floor of telephone exchange building. – Rationing Board 66, R.L. Hawthorne Jr., Chairman.

Miss Myrtle Mae Peek, popular member of the High School crowd, underwent an appendix operation in Selma on Tuesday.

Messrs. B.H. Matthews and W.R. Dodd have returned from Mobile where they attended the State Hardware Convention.

Rev. and Mrs. Wm. Halliday with their daughters Jane Patsy and Flora have arrived from Mexico and will spend some time in Oak Hill with Mrs. Halliday’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.C. Harper.

MISS FURERSON AND MR. SWEAT ARE TO BE MARRIED: Mr. and Mrs. H.S. Fugerson of Pine Apple announce the approaching marriage of their daughter, Mollie Ion Furgerson, to Mr. Hilton Sweat, the son of Mrs. K.A. Sweat of Greenville, Ala. The wedding will take place at the Baptist Church on May 24. This will be of interest to the many friends of this young couple.

92 YEARS AGO
MAY 15, 1930

Double Funeral Rites For Brothers: Funeral services were held in Camden Wednesday morning for W.K. McCracken, 56, of New York and his brother, R.C. McCracken, 69, planter, of Camden, whose deaths resulted from pneumonia. Both brothers were unmarried and neither knew of the illness of the other. The double funeral service was held from the Methodist church at 10 o’clock in the morning with relatives from Wilcox county and other sections attending. W.C. Vaughan, bookkeeper for Tissier Hardware Co., is a nephew and attended the services; his mother, Mrs. W.C. Vaughan being a sister of the McCracken brothers.
W.K. McCracken died in a New York hospital Wednesday after only a brief illness. He was born and reared at Rosebud, near Oak Hill, and was for 25 years a traveling salesman for Lehn & Fink, with the territory which reached from New York to New Orleans. He entered business for himself some years ago and made his home in New York.
R.C. McCracken, whose death occurred the past Friday night at his home in Camden, had been connected with planting interests in Wilcox County for many years. At the time of his death, he operated a small grocery store in Camden. As a young man, he aided in the contribution of the Flagler railroad from Miami to Key West and returned to Camden in about 1907 when work was held up on the road, and became interested in farming.

103 YEARS AGO
MAY 15, 1919

Boll weevils are reported quite busy in some localities.

The young men of Camden are arranging for a dance to be given the first week in June which will be the biggest social event of the season. A number of out of town visitors will be present and an excellent band has been procured for the occasion. Invitations will be issued shortly.

Mr. Irby McLeod of Grove Hill, recently returned from overseas, spent a few days in Camden the past week. He left Sunday for Montgomery, where he attended the parade of the 167^th Regiment.

Mrs. S.B. Strout left Wednesday morning for Columbus, Ga., where she will join her husband, Rev. S.B. Strout. They will make their future home in Columbus.

Mrs. W.J. Sessions attended the parade of the 167^th Regiment in Birmingham the past week.

Rev. J.F. Brock left Tuesday for Atlanta, Ga., where he will attend the Southern Baptist Convention.

Camden has an up-to-date movie (theater) now. The character of the pictures shown measure up favorably with the best to be found in the cities. The promoters of the picture show in Camden have installed an up-to-date plant in every respect and afford a most pleasant pastime for our citizens.

NOTICE: I have in my pasture one small black sow marked – split in right ear, crop in left ear. Three spotted shoats unmarked. Owner please prove property, pay charges and take charge of the same. – J.D. Carmichael, Sunny South, Ala.

117 YEARS AGO
MAY 18, 1905

The jury in the Will Ptomey case made a mistrial. They stood 11 for conviction. No comment is in order we simply bow, and suggest that the public do not attempt to hold its breath until a satisfactory reason is found.

On going to press, the Andrews case is being tried. This case gathers interest as it progresses. It will be remembered that John and Bob Andrews were arrested and accused of murdering their father and stepmother.

LOST! One 32 New Model, Smith & Wesson Pistol lost on Monday evening between Camden and Old Canton Landing. Finder will be liberally rewarded for the return of same to Farmers Oil & Manufacturing Co., Camden, Ala.

A telegram from Dr. J.F. Jenkins to Col. E.N. Jones conveys the sad intelligence that Mrs. Jenkins, formerly Miss Kate Jones, has Typhoid fever at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Birmingham. The many friends of both families regret this sad news and hope for her a speedy recovery, and entire restoration to health in as short a time as this much dreaded disease will allow.

W.W. McConnico, Esq., one of Allenton’s best farmers who always makes everything he needs at home and as much cotton as he can every year is a visitor to Camden this week. This venerable old gentleman looks as young and hearty as he did many moons since. Old Wilcox would be better if we had many more like him.

134 YEARS AGO
MAY 16, 1888

PIC-NIC FRIDAY: The pic-nic crowd will please meet at Cook’s Mill pond Friday morning, 18^th inst. The “Prairie Schooner” will call for all the young ladies and transport them (the baskets too) to the place of enjoyment.

The fish car, which contained three millions of shad for the Alabama River, returned to Washington from Montgomery last Friday. In a few years, the river will be stocked with shad, which are superior to buffalo and catfish.

Our old friend Malcom McNeil Sr., whose home is now at Wildwood, Florida, regaled his friends in Camden with some fine cabbages, sent from his Florida home. McNeil is doing well and is highly pleased with truck farming. Success to good “old man Make.”

Gadsden is now finishing its new and elegant hotel, the Printup House. Mr. Sublette is the proprietor. Those who attended the Grand Lodge Knights of Pythias convened there a year ago, are of the opinion that Gadsden is in need of a new hotel.

FURMAN: Pattie Lee, the youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Knight, died on last Saturday night. The burial service was conducted by Rev. Dr. Chambliss of the Baptist church Sunday afternoon. The many friends of the family extend their heartfelt sympathies.

Harrison Houston and two fine plow mules were killed by lightning Wednesday evening at Letohatchie, Lowndes County.

The Evergreen Courant's News Flashback for May 18, 2022

21 YEARS AGO
MAY 17, 2001

Weather observer Harry Ellis reported 0.32 inches of rain on May 9 and 0.05 inches of rain on May 12. He reported a high of 89 degrees on May 12 and a low of 53 on May 13.

Commencement exercises for the Sparta Academy graduating Class of 2001 will be held on Fri., May 18, at 7 p.m. at the school gym. The graduates are Lisa Tatum, Marcy Parsons, Ashley Hammonds, Rebecca Skipper (Valedictorian), Amy Jones (Salutatorian), Nikki Laster, Joel Williams, Lauren Salter, Susan Johnston, Jessica Bennett, Maegan Jenkins, Justin Tranum, Patrick Caylor, Jill Pate, Josh Varner, Morgan Salo, Becky Hyde, Wendy Crabtree, Justin Stillwell, Jamie Smith, Jeremy McClain, Derek Faulkner, John McKenzie, Jimmy Hyde, John Anderson and Kyle Johnston.

During Repton’s Town Council meeting on Tues., May 8, 2001, two new council members were sworn into office. Pictured are Mayor Ricky Wallace, councilmember Theresa Bartlett, councilmember Gloria Zemliska, new councilmember Denease Watkins, councilmember Pearl Cook and new councilmember Don White. After taking the oath of office, each councilmember took their respective seats on the council and continued with the regular council meeting.

46 YEARS AGO
MAY 20, 1976

Evergreen weather observer Earl Windham reported 2.45 inches of rain on May 13, 2.32 inches on May 14 and 0.3 inches of rain on May 15. He reported a high of 84 on May 12 and a low of 52 on May 10.

Honor students of the Class of 1976 at Lyeffion High School are Charline Boykins, Mattie Grace, Cherryle Gandy, Pam Brown, salutatorian, Pat McClammy, Brenda Stacey, Debbie Grimes, Kenny Dean, valedictorian, Steve Anthony, Mickey Booker, Lenn Ryals and Milton Mooney.

Evergreen High School’s honor students of the Class of 1976 are Glenda Ann Simpson, valedictorian, Patrick Alan Dawson, salutatorian, Reginald Floyd and Ray Webb.

Cheryl White is valedictorian of the Class of 1976, Repton High School, and Teresa Faulkenberry is salutatorian.

Final rites today for Mr. Wiggins: Henry Cleveland Wiggins, former Tax Collector of Conecuh County, died early yesterday morning in a Monroeville hospital. Graveside services will be held for the highly respected and much loved Mr. Wiggins this afternoon at 4 o’clock at Magnolia Cemetery with the Rev. Jack Williamson and the Rev. Zedoc Baxter officiating.

Army Private First Class Willie C. Johnson was presented the Air Assault Badge upon graduation from the Air Assault School at Fort Campbell, Ky., April 23. The 19-year-old soldier is a 1975 graduate of Evergreen High School.

71 YEARS AGO
MAY 17, 1951

Mrs. R. Millsap Jr. and Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Millsap will attend the graduation of PFC Temple Millsap from an Air Force school at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss.

Bing Smith Is New Manager Of The Pix: Effective last week Bing Smith of Lanett, Ala. Succeeds Lamar Humphries as manager of The Pix Theatre here. Humphries resigned his post here to go into business with his father in Sylacauga. Smith comes to Evergreen from Douglas, Ga. where he was assistant manager of a Martin Theatre.
The new manager is a native of Lanett and finished high school there. He joined the Army Air Corps in November 1941 and served until discharged in August 1946. Included in this service was 32 months overseas in the European Theatre. He was wounded in December 1944 and spent the next 22 months in various Army hospitals receiving treatment. He was a fighter pilot.

ALWAYS PRESENT – Helen Lee Salter, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lee Salter, Evergreen, Route 2, will graduate from Lyeffion High School next Friday, May 25, with the enviable record of being perfect in attendance for the past 10 years. She is a member of the Beta Club, Glee Club and FHA. Perfect attendance records are a family tradition with the Salters. Helen Lee’s older sister, Doris (now Mrs. Fisher Covin, Owassa), graduate at Lyeffion in 1946 with a perfect attendance record for her last seven years of school.

96 YEARS AGO
MAY 19, 1926

SSAS CLOSES SUCCESSFUL YEAR: Tonight closes commencement exercises of the State Secondary Agricultural School. A recital of music and elocution engaged attention of our people last Friday night; Monday night was class night; Tuesday night the senior play was presented; and tonight Senator R.H. Powell of Tuskegee is to deliver an address and the diplomas are to be delivered. Thus comes to close one of the most successful years in the history of the school, under the able supervision of Prof. W.B. Sexton. The graduating class this year is composed of the following: Misses Mary Julia Wild, Sara Williams, Eunice Shannon, Martha Dickinson, Myrtle Brundage, Lillian Burt, Aline Burt, Elanor Baldwin, Evelyn Fountain, Velma Shell, Fannie Lou Greene, Fannie Mae Miller, Rubye Thomas, Nora Hamilton, Mary Lois Massey, Nell Pritchett, Euna Mae Burgess, Clara Bell Hines, Messrs. Wright Dunn, Ellis Shannon, Watson Spence, Virgil McCreary, Frank Hagood, Walter Howell, John B. Oliver, Lawton Kamplain, Aubra Johnson, Mitchell Beaven and Hugh Middlebrooks.

Bishop W.S. McDowell delivered the commencement sermon last Sunday morning in the City School auditorium to a large audience.

Mr. J.T. Williams is Evergreen’s new postmaster, according to recent advice from Washington. It is understood that Mr. Williams will assume his new duties at an early date.