100-year-old news headlines from Sept. 1922 editions of The Wilcox Progressive Era in Camden, Ala.

The steamboat, Nettie Quill.

Today marks the first Thursday of the month, so it’s time to take another trip back down memory lane for a look at some of the interesting things that happened in Wilcox County a century ago, way back in September 1922.

In the Sept. 7, 1922 edition of The Wilcox Progressive Era, publisher Stanley Clifford Godbold reported that the “steamer Nettie Quill will resume service on the Alabama River and will leave Mobile every Wednesday afternoon.”

Readers that week also saw the following notice – “LOST: One pocket book containing $5 gold piece. Somewhere between McLeod Drug Store and Camden Theatre. Finder please return to McLeod Drug Store and receive reward, S.L. Duke.”

In the Sept. 14, 1922 edition of The Progressive Era, under the headline “The County High School Opening,” it was reported that “last Monday morning, in the School Auditorium, the annual session of the Wilcox County High School began. The principal, Prof. W.V. Luckie of Butler County, outlined his plans and purpose in the conduct of the school and indicated his intention of giving his best efforts to his work, so that our County High School may rank with the best in the state. The Grammar School opened last Monday morning with an attendance larger than usual.”

Readers that week also learned that “Allen D. Cunningham, a nephew of Mrs. Billie Dale, had a painful accident Saturday, when he was at the home of Dr. W.W. Moore. He fell from a broken China Berry limb.”

In the Sept. 21, 1922 edition of the newspaper, it was reported that “there were 725 bales of cotton, counting round as half bales, ginned in Wilcox County from the crop of 1922 prior to Sept. 1, 1922, as compared with 44 bales ginned to Sept. 1, 1921.”

Also that week, it was reported that the “election was held Monday for Mayor and Aldermen. Mr. P.E. Jones, being elected Mayor, and Messrs. W.R. Alford, R.C. Jones, S.C. Godbold, E.H. Pritchett and D.M. McIntosh as Aldermen. There was no opposition to this ticket and with these strong men, Camden will have a good administration.”

In the Sept. 28, 1922 edition of the paper, it was reported that “Dale Lodge worked in the Master Mason’s degree on Tuesday night. Capt. Sam Albritton, an overseas officer, received his degree. He leaves for Vanderbilt University to resume his dental studies.”

Readers that week also learned that the “Louisville & Nashville Railroad had their man in Camden Monday making pictures of things of interest to them to be placed in their advertisement matter which they are to get out.”

Well, I guess that’s all that space will allow for this month. On the first Thursday of next month, I plan to take a look at the events of October 1922 in Wilcox County. Until then, if you get the urge to research the county’s past yourself, take advantage of the Alabama Department of Archives and History’s excellent selection of old newspapers on microfilm and other resources. Their friendly staff will be more than happy to get you started.