Wilcox County, Alabama News Flashback for Oct. 5, 2022

78 YEARS AGO
OCT. 5, 1944

CAPT. A.M. PEARSON WOUNDED IN ACTION: Camden relatives received the news on Tuesday that Capt. A.M. Pearson of the U.S. Marine Corps was recently wounded in action. The report stated that Capt. Pearson was improving.

LT. CLIFFORD HARPER EXPERT WITH CARBINE AND PISTOL: It has recently been released that Lt. Clifford Harper of Pine Apple has qualified as an expert in the use of the Carbine and 45 Caliber pistol.

Roy Lee Farish of the U.S. Navy, stationed at San Diego, California, is visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Farish.

Camden relatives and friends were saddened when on Monday the news reached here of the death of Sherwood Middlebrooks, formerly of Camden. Sympathy is extended to the bereaved ones.

Sgt. and Mrs. Paul E. Starr of Camp Sibert are receiving congratulations upon the arrival of a baby daughter, whom they have named Ouida Anne.

A/C Charles L. Andrews and Mrs. Andrews of Greensboro, N.C. are receiving congratulations upon the arrival of a baby daughter, whom they have named Judith Sherril. Cadet Andrews is stationed at Cochran Field, Macon, Ga.

Will Hudson of the U.S. Army is spending his furlough with Camden relatives.

John L. Godbold of the U.S. Army is spending several days here with his family.

88 YEARS AGO
OCT. 4, 1934

GINNERS REPORT: Census report shows that there were 3,108 bales of cotton ginned in Wilcox County from the crop of 1934 prior to Sept. 16, 1934 as compared with 1,988 bales ginned to Sept. 10, 1933, crop of 1933. – Annie Laurie Purefoy, Special Agent.

Pupils Here Senator Black: Pupils in the upper four grades of the high school were permitted to attend Senator Hugo Black’s lecture on The New Deal last Wednesday. Besides having the opportunity to hear Alabama’s distinguished Senator, the pupils learned a great deal about important current happenings. The school expects to hear Senator Bankhead when he speaks here.

Camden-Thomaston battled on even terms for four long quarters in their football game on the local field Friday afternoon, the game ending in a 0-0 tie. Camden was out-weighed in the line several pounds to the man, but the fight and spirit the local lads put into their play more than offset the unequal poundage. Scoring chances were about equal on both sides. Thomaston was able to carry the ball to Camden’s one yard stripe on the next to the last play of the game but was unable to put the ball over for a first down. Camden kicked out of danger on the last play.
The Camden team as a whole played good football. They showed their nervousness by a number of fumbles. Most of their plays were well executed. Rouse, Andrews and Strother stood out in carrying the ball. Williams and Cook were outstanding in the line. For Thomaston, Battle and Sealey were the most outstanding.

97 YEARS AGO
OCT. 1, 1925

NEW FIRE MAP OF CAMDEN: Mr. H.M. Bagloe, representing the Sanborn Map Co. of New York, is in town for the purpose of correcting and revising the Fire Insurance Maps of Camden. Since his work necessitates his having free access to all premises, he requests the indulgence of the residents. Any assistance rendered Mr. Bagloe will be greatly appreciated by the Fire Underwriters, the local Fire Insurance Agents, and himself.

Miss Lillie McBryde of Oak Hill, who had the misfortune of having her hip broken, being kicked by a cow, is resting as comfortably as could be expected in Vaughan Memorial Hospital in Selma.

Mr. John Liddell has the contract to manage the new Standard Oil Co. Filling Station, located upon the Sumpter Caldwell lot. Mr. Harvey Tait is the dispenser of gas, oil and air, assisted by Leo Hall.

Mrs. S.J. Ervin Jr. has been elected to teach in the Camden Grammar school. The County Board of Education granted part of the amount necessary to secure another teacher and the balance was subscribed by friends of the school. The crowded condition of the school made it advisable to have an addition to the faculty.

Mrs. Oxford Stroud of Demopolis is spending this week with her sister, Mrs. E.W. Berry. Mrs. Stroud will be remembered in Camden as Miss Viola Goode, she having visited her sister often and has many friends here who will give her a cordial welcome.

107 YEARS AGO
OCT. 7, 1915

Hon. W.J. Bryan, the great Commoner, will lecture at the Academy of Music Wednesday, quite a number of Camden, will attend.

The bill abolishing the old jury system was vetoed by Governor Henderson, no explanation was given. The bill put the duties of the jury commissioners in the hands of the Probate Judge, Circuit Clerk and Sheriff. The commissioners created four years ago, will continue in force.

The fall term of the Wilcox County Circuit Court, Hon. B.M. Miller presiding, will begin on Mon., Nov. 1 next. The Progressive Era will endeavor to obtain the jury list for our next issue.

All fears of relatives of Camdenites in the storm’s path in New Orleans were dispelled this week on receipt of messages from J. Paul Jones, Boyd Wallace and Misses Wallace that all were safe. Fears for the safety of Mr. Henry Phillips of Selma, who has relatives and friends in Wilcox, are felt. He was due in New Orleans the day of the storm, but no word since has been received. We trust tho’ that it is due to the communication being cut.

The new road law, for Wilcox County, was duly passed and signed by Governor Henderson. This gives Wilcox one of the best laws in many respects for road building that we have ever had. With the good roads in process of building and with effective work on the others, it is only a question of time when our entire county will have a system of excellent roads.

117 YEARS AGO
OCT. 5, 1905

Two Plantations Sold: The Horn Swamp plantation sale on last Monday drew quite a crowd of big land owners to town. The place was sold and bought for $7,850 cash and Mess. W.P. Burford and F.G. Hollinger were the purchasers.
Wilcox dirt is in demand. There is a great advance in land values in this county, and the increase has been gradual and steady for the past 10 years.
The Chamber’s place near Catherine, 720 acres, was sold last Saturday at Catherine, and brought $3,850, all cash. Mr. W.J. Chambers was the purchaser. We are informed that interest in this sale was considerable.

Another story is being built on the old Gordon home on Broad Street by the Camden Hardware Co. for Judge B.M. Miller who bought the property last winter.

Mr. D.A.K. McDowell has let the contract to the Camden Hardware Co. for a modern cottage on his lot purchased some time since from Mr. M.A. Turner.

Mr. Clarence Holman left last week for Nadawah to accept a position with Dr. Albert Farish as druggist. Clarence has been with Dr. Wm. W. Moore the past year at the drugstore and his many friends at home who regret to see him leave.

Hon. S.D. Bloch is building an addition and otherwise repairing the Old Pickett Restaurant that has been leased to Mr. Jackson who will move his restaurant there when completed.