The Evergreen Courant's News Flashback for June 7, 2022

Grave of John D. Barnes at Hamden Ridge.

16 YEARS AGO
JUNE 1, 2006

Weather observer Harry Ellis reported no rain between May 22 and May 28. He reported a high of 96 degrees on May 28 and a low of 63 on May 22.

Rabb Cemetery in Conecuh County was recently added to the Alabama Historic Cemetery Register. Shown with the Certificate of Admission to the Register are Lee Ann Wofford, Cemetery Program Coordinator for the State of Alabama Historical Commission; Martha Phyllis Armstrong, Second Vice President, Alabama Cemetery Preservation Alliance; and Sherry Johnston, Coordinator for Lucy C. Warren Heritage Section, Evergreen Public Library, First Vice President, Alabama Cemetery Preservation Alliance.

During the Sun., May 21, 2006 morning worship service at Bower Memorial Church, the church family rejoiced as a long time dream was fulfilled in the burning of their church note. The dream to relocate and rebuild a new church has been completed. A total of $854,846 was spent on Phase I and Phase II of the building program. Two loans were made at the Bank of Evergreen in the amount of $392,192.49. Both loans were paid off in a total of 43 months. Pictured are those who serve on the Building and Finance Committees: Pastor Hughie Denton, Terry Sullivan, Linda Wright, Bobbie Hutcheson, Nathan Wright, Clayton Davis, Rodge Carroll, Sam Mason and Tom Hall (standing in for his wife, the late Veloise Hall). Not pictured is Warren Johnson.  

41 YEARS AGO
JUNE 4, 1981

Evergreen weather observer Earl Windham reported 2.04 inches of rain on May 26 and 0.18 inches on May 29. He reported a high of 92 on May 31 and a low of 53 on May 27.

Sharon R. Baker has been chosen to represent Conecuh County High School at the 1981 Session of Alabama Girls State at Huntingdon College Campus in Montgomery, 31^st May to 6^th June.

Mrs. Skip (Brenda) Stacey looks on as Evergreen Mayor Lee F. Smith signs a proclamation decreeing that all fathers and husbands should be served beef (preferably a T-bone steak) on Father’s Day… in fact, the mayor said grandfathers should especially be served a big steak on June 21. Brenda is president of the Conecuh County CowBelles who are again promoting “Beef for Father’s Day” in this county.

The Union Bank elects Hendrix: The Union Bank announces today that George Hendrix has been promoted to vice president. He had been serving as assistant vice president. Hendrix’s elevation was announced by Carl W. Ryals, president, and Sam M. Kelly, executive vice president.
The Union Bank is headquartered in Repton with branch banks in Castleberry and Evergreen. Hendrix has been associated with the bank for 3-1/2 years at the Evergreen bank which is headed by Kelly.
Hendrix is a native of Frisco City and graduated from high school there.

66 YEARS AGO
JUNE 7, 1956

1956 Rainfall Slightly Behind ’55 By About Eight Inches: Rainfall in Conecuh this year is rapidly falling behind that recorded last year, according to figures at the CAA at Middleton Field.
Last year, 28.64 inches fell the first five months last year, and only a little over 20 inches have fallen in the first five months this year. May rainfall this year was 2.63, as compared against 5.56 inches last year.
June moisture fell to the extent of 4.34 inches in June of 1955 and so far this year no rain of any appreciable amount has dampened Conecuh soil the first six days of June 1956.

First Two Cotton Blooms Reported Here Tuesday: The first two cotton blooms of the 1956 cotton year arrived in The Evergreen Courant office almost simultaneously Tuesday morning.
A bloom from the fields of Grady Ralls was brought in about 11 a.m. Ralls lives about 14 miles from Evergreen on Route D.
The other bloom arrived a few minutes later in the mail from Castleberry, sent in by The Courant’s correspondent there, Mrs. R.E. Buffington. Everette Gross, farmer living two or three miles east of Castleberry, handed her the bloom Saturday morning, and told her it had opened up Friday.
Mabry Huggins, the County Agent, stated Wednesday that the cotton fields of Conecuh are generally looking very promising and the prospects of a record crop are very good. Conecuh’s cotton stand compares favorably with the best in the state, he said.

91 YEARS AGO
JUNE 4, 1931

CLARENCE CRENSHAW SENTENCED TO DIE – Youth To Go To Electric Chair July 10: Clarence Crenshaw, 19-year-old youth, charged with the fatal stabbing of John D. Barnes was found guilty of murder in the first degree, and sentenced to death in the electric chair at a special session of the circuit court held here Thursday, May 28. July 10 is the date set for electrocution.
Crenshaw was indicted on a charge of first-degree murder by a special session of the grand jury called by Circuit Judge Francis W. Hare Monday to probe the case. Judge Hare appointed Attorney B.E. Jones and E.C. Page Jr. to defend Crenshaw. The defense entered a plea of self defense.
The case attracted widespread attention and on the morning set for the trial the courtroom was filled by people from all parts of the county, crowding into the aisles, stairways, and balconies, remaining throughout the day until the jury returned with a verdict.
The case was given to the jury shortly after nine o’clock and at 11:10, they returned with a verdict of guilty of murder in the first degree with the punishment fixed at death by electrocution at the Kilby state prison between the hours of sunrise and sunset on the tenth of July.
Crenshaw was returned to the Conecuh County jail. The case has been appealed, and it will be submitted to the Supreme Court in December.

Mrs. L.D. King is spending several days in Cullman, attending the commencement exercises, her son Jack Newman being a member of the graduating class at St. Bernard College. They will leave during the week for a trip through Kentucky and Tennessee.